Bangkok Post trashed for broadcasting Russian ambassador’s ‘propaganda’

The newspaper of record’s decision to uncritically broadcast a closed session with Russia’s ambassador to Thailand yesterday has been met with anger and disbelief.

People took turns disparaging Bangkok Post throughout a 90-minute live stream during which Russian Ambassador Evgeny Tomikhin repeated demonstrably false statements without any context or fact-checking.

“Bangkok Post should not give Putin and his puppets a stage to continue spreading lies,” one viewer wrote unsparingly. “Bangkok Post should be ashamed!” Another was no more restrained: “Shame on you! For allowing this murdering mouthpiece to spout his lies on your platform. Disgraceful journalism!”

A professional code binds news agencies and reporters to challenge statements and check facts rather than allow their platforms to be used as conduits for misinformation. And while the…