Journalist groups decry new media ethics bill

The House and Senate have been debating a new bill that is supposed to promote media ethics and set media professionalism standards. Now, the Thai Broadcast Journalists Association (TBJA) and the Thai Journalists Association (TJA) have both voiced their strong opposition to the bill.

In a statement, the TBJA demanded that the bill be withdrawn, citing concerns that it would provide legal tools for the control and censorship of the media if enacted. The TBJA argued that the 49-section bill fails to take into account that other professionals could join the media profession and fears it could restrict media professionals’ freedoms and rights.

The bill is being discussed without the input of media professionals and other sectors, The TBJA complained. The creation of a new media council to…