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<div>The junta’s National Reform Council (NRC) has <a href="http://www.tnamcot.com/view/59070b7be3f8e4ce4c20d436">given the green light</a> to a controversial bill that would subject the Thai media to a licensing system.
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<p>Despite opposition from media groups, the junta is proposing a law to punish unlicensed journalists with two years in prison. </p>
<p>On 10 April 2017, Maj Gen Pisit Pao-In, chairman of the media subcommittee of the junta’s National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA), announced that under the <a href="https://prachatai.com/english/node/6953">new Media Bill</a>, media workers who do not possess official licenses could face two years’ imprisonment, or a fine of 60,000 baht, or both. </p>
By May Barth |
<div><a href="http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/politics/1191509/media-control-bill-suspended">Two weeks ago</a>, the whip committee of the junta’s National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) temporarily rejected the <a href="http://www.prachatai.com/english/node/6947">Protection of Media Rights and Freedom, Ethics and Professional Standards Bill</a>, following strong opposition from the 30 media organisations.
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By Prachatai |
<div>Senior journalists have denounced the junta’s controversial Media Bill, arguing the junta wishes to entrench itself in power rather than promote truth and responsible media.</div><div> </div><div>On 22 February 2017, a panel of senior journalists and media officials at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand warned that severe new media regulations proposed by the junta represent the military’s ambitions to maintain an influence in Thai politics even after the country transitions to a democratic system.</div><div> </div><div>Thepchai Yong, the President of the Thai Broadcas</div>