Self-censorship a blight on the media

Published: 8 Jan 2013 at 12.06
Online news: Opinion

The controversy surrounding TV Channel 3's decision to pull the plug on a drama series without any clear explanation has unmasked an age-old blight that plagues the media, both print and broadcast - self-censorship despite constitutional recognition that censorship is not permissable.

The fact is, Channel 3 shot itself in the foot with its decision to abruptly pull the final episodes of Nua Mek 2 soap opera scheduled to be aired last Friday evening.

All hell broke loose when fans of the primetime drama bombarded Facebook social network with messages crying foul against the TV station, and with the anti-Thaksin camp pointing their accusing fingers at the government and the "Man in Dubai".

This article is older than 60 days, which we reserve for our premium members only.You can subscribe to our premium member subscription, here.

Forum

Your comments

ringmaster
Post : 741
Send message

Discussion 14 : 09 Jan 2013 at 01.4014
Post this to my Facebook
"the truth will never be told or disclosed" - So we rely on news media to find out the truth and report it. Investigative journalism? Instead we get the news media reporting more speculation than facts.
Like dislike 6 people liked / 0 people disliked this comment
faceless
Post : 234
Send message

Discussion 13 : 08 Jan 2013 at 20.2413
Post this to my Facebook
Hallelujah, one less Thai soap.
Like dislike 15 people liked / 1 people disliked this comment
tomatslick
Post : 6
Send message

Discussion 12 : 08 Jan 2013 at 19.2412
Post this to my Facebook
But, as has been pointed out, could this not be a treble bluff so typical of Thai politics? If the Dems wanted to make our man in Dubai look bad, then to arouse suspicion that he had pulled the soap would severely dent his popularity among the millions of voters who had been watching it. Could that even be why the proposed referendum to retrospectively legalise political corruption has been shelved?
Like dislike 4 people liked / 2 people disliked this comment
bkk1
Post : 422
Send message

Discussion 11 : 08 Jan 2013 at 19.1911
Post this to my Facebook
Seeing this last program was about Thaksin and a red shirt made sure it was not shown it can be only said yes the PTP UDD Government was in vold some where in all the mess
Like dislike 12 people liked / 2 people disliked this comment
genii
Post : 749
Send message

Discussion 10 : 08 Jan 2013 at 18.1110
Post this to my Facebook
The buck appears to stop at TV Channel 3. And I repeat, the truth will never be told or disclosed.

And why would channel 3 not be telling the truth?

Either channel 3 is honest in it's explanation or there is an attempted smear campaign going on to embarrase or discredit certain people or groups, then again it could be from those who feel this soap is depicting them in a bad light. Personally I believe channel 3.
Like dislike 5 people liked / 11 people disliked this comment
boontong
Post : 524
Send message

Discussion 9 : 08 Jan 2013 at 18.019
Post this to my Facebook
Khun Veera, you got it right, but what can you do but feeling frustrated and talking about it. You probably know many posters' postings were censored and many have their account terminated. On the Nua Mek 2 soap operas, some images could be lese majeste under 112. I wonder if the opposition party can clearly define what they meant by 'political interference' on this case. I don't think they will, because it will be slanderous and defamatory - not freedom of speech.
Like dislike 7 people liked / 2 people disliked this comment
oldexp
Post : 414
Send message

Discussion 8 : 08 Jan 2013 at 17.338
Post this to my Facebook
@Eric....you didn't read it all. The soap was shot before the first episode was aired. If any breach of article whatever, it should have been known then already. Well, if Channel 3 cares at all what they broadcast.
My guesses: either it's a political decision or some advertiser wasn't happy. These two didn't know the whole story of the soap.
Like dislike 15 people liked / 3 people disliked this comment
Renaissance
Post : 1,783
Send message

Discussion 7 : 08 Jan 2013 at 17.317
Post this to my Facebook
It's a PR disaster for the "Man in Dubai". Whatever "truth" is revealed, nobody will believe it as lieing by politicians and government organizations is common behaviour.

Khun Veera, maybe the "Man in Dubai" found out what is in the 3 missing episodes, which we'll never see, and decided that it painted him in a bad light. Thai plays usually end with the villain ending up arrested and going to prison. This is a sensitive topic for the "Man in Dubai" because he is innocent and honest.
Like dislike 23 people liked / 4 people disliked this comment
felixqui
Post : 614
Send message

Discussion 6 : 08 Jan 2013 at 17.206
Post this to my Facebook
"despite constitutional recognition that censorship is not permissable"

Wrong, as recent Constitutional Court rulings have explicitly stated.

Whilst any law such as 112 can be constitutional, not only must terrified self-censorship be the norm for Thai citizens, but far more active censorship of the peaceful expression of honestly held political opinion must be common. Sadly, such official censorship is increasing in Thailand, to the great detriment of Thai society and politics.

"And I repeat, the truth will never be told or disclosed."
This enforced ignorance is the guaranteed result of all censorship, without exception.
Like dislike 20 people liked / 3 people disliked this comment
ploydonut
Post : 306
Send message

Discussion 5 : 08 Jan 2013 at 17.155
Post this to my Facebook
I am think that self censorship can be good, because sometime media say something that may offend other people is bad, and then the foreigner may read and think bad of the people of our country instead of see the good thing.
Like dislike 6 people liked / 44 people disliked this comment