The content in this page ("Amnesty, Human Rights Watch speak against media outlet shutdown" by Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch) is not produced by Prachatai staff. Prachatai merely provides a platform, and the opinions stated here do not necessarily reflect those of Prachatai.

Amnesty, Human Rights Watch speak against media outlet shutdown

Following the report of a court order to suspend Voice TV's online platforms, Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have issued statements on the government's attempt to shut down media outlets. 

The protest at Victory Monument on 18 October

Media outlet’s shutdown a scare tactic amid growing protests, says Amnesty 

Responding to news that a court has upheld a government order to shut down "all platforms" of Voice TV, Amnesty International's Deputy Regional Director for Campaigns, Ming Yu Hah, said:

"Voice TV has been doing its job, reporting on growing peaceful protests throughout the country. Like the charges against leading protesters, these tactics are clear attempts by the authorities to intimidate and harass people into silence.

"The harassment of media outlets is just one facet of the Thai authorities' current assault on communications channels, alongside threats to block the messaging platform Telegram and use of the Computer Crime Act, among other laws, against people for what they post and share online.

"Thai people of all ages are taking to the streets and growing the ranks of this peaceful youth-led movement. The Thai authorities should respect and protect the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and media freedom. They should let people peacefully air their views, in the streets and on social media - and they should let journalists report on the developments. 

“We again urge the authorities to immediately and unconditionally release all peaceful protesters currently detained. Authorities should drop all charges against protesters and, pending this, ensure that all those charged have access to legal counsel.”

"We also urge the authorities to rescind the ban on the Voice TV group and other media houses and allow the independent media to operate freely without any intimidation, harassment or fear of reprisals."

Background

On Tuesday 20 October, the Thai criminal court upheld a government order by the Joint Command for the Administration of the Emergency Situation (JCAES) to shut down all TV and digital broadcasts of the Voice TV group. The order also targeted three other media outlets: Prachatai, The Standard and The Reporters, although there has yet to be a court decision in their cases. Authorities allege that these outlets have violated orders issued under the Emergency Decree announced last week. A spokesperson for the Ministry for the Digital Economy and Society added that Voice TV was also found to be in violation of the Computer Crime Act.

Since 13 October 2020, authorities have detained at least 49 protesters, including some detained under emergency powers, including those announced earlier this year.  A "severe" state of emergency was declared on 15 October 2020. Reports of new arrests and detention continue to rise. Protests have grown throughout Thailand demanding a new constitution, monarchy reform and an end to harassment against individuals critical of the authorities.

Authorities have already initiated criminal proceedings against at least 65 individuals during the year in connection with ongoing peaceful protests. Protesters have reported official harassment linked to their presence at assemblies, including house visits and threats of lawsuits.

Voice TV's shutdown a misuse of the Emergency Decree to censor the media, says HRW

The Thai government’s shutdown of the outspoken Voice TV channel misuses Thailand’s emergency decree to censor the media, Human Rights Watch said today (21 October).

On October 20, 2020, the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society announced at a news conference that the government had obtained a court order to close down Voice TV on all online platforms. The ministry alleged that the station’s coverage of a democracy protest in Bangkok on October 16 violated media restrictions under the Emergency Decree on Public Administration in Emergency Situations and the Computer-Related Crime Act.

“Banning Voice TV is the Thai government’s latest attempt to stop the reporting about democracy protests and ensuing abuses against protesters,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “The crackdown is part of a bigger effort to bully and control the media into becoming a government mouthpiece.”

On October 15, before the station’s online platforms were shut down, the Thai authorities pressed satellite service providers to block the broadcast of Voice TV. Since the May 2014 military coup that brought Prime Minister Gen. Prayuth Chan-ocha to power, the government has targeted Voice TV for censorship and punitive sanctions more than any other TV station in Thailand. 

The government has also requested a shutdown order for three other online media services – The ReportersThe Standard, and Prachatai – citing similar reasons. In addition, Human Rights Watch obtained a document showing that the government is also seeking to block the Free Youth democracy movement’s accounts on the Telegram application.

On October 15, Prime Minister Prayuth declared a state of emergency in Bangkok. The United NationsThai human rights organizations, and Human Rights Watch, among others, raised concerns about the state of emergency on human rights and fundamental freedoms in Thailand.

The Emergency Decree empowers Thai authorities to impose broad censorship that violates the right to free expression and media freedom. On October 16, the police issued several warnings against news reports and social media commentary critical of the monarchy, the government, and the political situation in the country. Livestreaming pro-democracy protests was declared illegal, as well as posting selfies at a protest site.

That day, police arrested a Prachatai journalist, Kitti Pantapak, while was he was broadcasting the police’s dispersal of a democracy protest in Bangkok. True Visions is licensed to run the BBC World Service, CNN, and Al Jazeera English on its cable TV network, but it has blocked the broadcast of news reporting on the protests in Thailand. In addition, Thai authorities have blocked access to the online petition site Change.org, after it hosted a petition calling for King Maha Vajiralongkorn to be declared persona non grata in Germany.

The government has shown increasing hostility toward pro-democracy protests, which started on July 18 and later spread across the country. The protesters called for the resignation of the government, the drafting of a new constitution, and an end to the authorities harassing people who exercise their freedom of expression. Some of the protests included demands for reforms to curb the king’s powers. Thai Lawyers for Human Rights reported that at least 81 protesters have been arrested since the declaration of state of emergency in Bangkok.

International human rights law, as reflected in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which Thailand ratified in 1996, protects the rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly. But Thai authorities have routinely enforced censorship and gagged public discussions about human rights, political reform, and the role of the monarchy in society. Over the past decade, hundreds of activists and dissidents have been prosecuted on serious criminal charges such as sedition, computer-related crimes, and lese majeste (insulting the monarchy) for the peaceful expression of their views.

In addition, over the past five months, the authorities have used emergency measures to help control the Covid-19 pandemic as a pretext to ban anti-government rallies, harass pro-democracy activists, and enforce censorship.

“Concerned governments and the United Nations should publicly demand an immediate end to the Thai government’s censorship and political repression,” Adams said. “Prime Minister Prayuth should immediately lift Voice TV’s ban and end further attempts to stifle media freedom and free speech in Thailand.”

 

Since 2007, Prachatai English has been covering underreported issues in Thailand, especially about democratization and human rights, despite the risk and pressure from the law and the authorities. However, with only 2 full-time reporters and increasing annual operating costs, keeping our work going is a challenge. Your support will ensure we stay a professional media source and be able to expand our team to meet the challenges and deliver timely and in-depth reporting.

• Simple steps to support Prachatai English

1. Bank transfer to account “โครงการหนังสือพิมพ์อินเทอร์เน็ต ประชาไท” or “Prachatai Online Newspaper” 091-0-21689-4, Krungthai Bank

2. Or, Transfer money via Paypal, to e-mail address: [email protected], please leave a comment on the transaction as “For Prachatai English”