This came after activists blatantly brought up taboo topics during an anti-government rally at Thammasat University last week and again during the rally on Sunday at the Democracy Monument. Public disappointment in the local press has been accumulating as several Thais view that the Thai press seemingly places insufficient importance on reporting youth protests against the government. Although some media went live on their online platforms during the protests, they suddenly ceased live stream when speakers broached uncomfortable topics.
Some Thai media even allocate larger space for the reports about key Thai politicians or prominent figures expressing concern, dissatisfaction, or warning protesters if their actions have gone too far. A large number of Thai netizens, therefore, have taken to the web to criticize the local press for choosing to play it safe or flatter the regime rather than be brave and pursue their professional ethics and stand by the people. It may not be an exaggeration to say that this is the most challenging time that the Thai press has ever encountered.
I mean I had never expected to hear this issue being discussed on the stage amid the crowd like that. She explained further that the mainstream press were working under intense pressure and needed to take into account their organization structures and the social context along with media-regulating laws when reporting a story.
That is our duty. Nevertheless, whether a topic can be said legally or not needs to be consulted with many lawyers. Journalists have never had knowledge relating to this before. Meanwhile, online platforms are curbed by the Computer Crime Act B. The ministry has the power to file a petition to the court to ban inappropriate online content and also impose a fine of up to 60, baht, at least five years of imprisonment or both.
Thai publications can and have paid a very high price for their courage to break one of the strictest taboos in Thai society β and, currently, they are not in any position to bear this expensive cost. A number of local media outlets, especially those on traditional platforms, have been undergoing tough financial situations for years. Online media is the main factor causing several traditional media publications to suffer huge losses of audiences and subsequently revenues.
