PHUKET: The National Council for Peace and Order tightened restrictions on the media in Thailand last night in a new order that was carried on national television immediately after General Prayuth Chan-ocha delivered his weekly ''Return Happiness to the People'' broadcast.
Order 97/2557 forbids all media operating in Thailand from interviewing and publishing the views of academics, former government office-bearers, retired judges or other people, including representatives from Non-Government Organisations, that may be construed as being critical of the NCPO or its representatives.
Comments about other people that may be construed as defamatory are also banned. All news outlets are asked to publish announcements as supplied by the National Council for Peace and Order.
Governor Prayuth took control of a deeply divided Thailand on May 22 to prevent possible violence and has said that the Army will remain in charge until the middle of 2015.
Phuketwan advises its readers in Thailand and around the world that the new order will apply to comments made on articles.
Declaration of Interest: Phuketwan journalists Alan Morison and Chutima Sidasathian face a continuing trial in March over criminal defamation and Computer Crimes Act charges brought by the Royal Thai Navy, citing a 41-word paragraph from a Pulitzer prize-winning Reuters report on the Rohingya boatpeople. The charges predate the military takeover.
Order 97/2557 forbids all media operating in Thailand from interviewing and publishing the views of academics, former government office-bearers, retired judges or other people, including representatives from Non-Government Organisations, that may be construed as being critical of the NCPO or its representatives.
Comments about other people that may be construed as defamatory are also banned. All news outlets are asked to publish announcements as supplied by the National Council for Peace and Order.
Governor Prayuth took control of a deeply divided Thailand on May 22 to prevent possible violence and has said that the Army will remain in charge until the middle of 2015.
Phuketwan advises its readers in Thailand and around the world that the new order will apply to comments made on articles.
Declaration of Interest: Phuketwan journalists Alan Morison and Chutima Sidasathian face a continuing trial in March over criminal defamation and Computer Crimes Act charges brought by the Royal Thai Navy, citing a 41-word paragraph from a Pulitzer prize-winning Reuters report on the Rohingya boatpeople. The charges predate the military takeover.
(glad to be getting out, 79 days and counting ..)
Posted by The War Whores on July 19, 2014 10:26