Chiang Mai (Mizzima) - Media organizations in Thailand are to provide assistance to members of the Press in the event of violence against its personnel, while reporting the ongoing political demonstrations in Bangkok.
Media threatening Surveillance Center and the Thai Journalists Association expressed concern about the safety of media members while on duty reporting the mass demonstration by the National United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship (UDD) which is scheduled to stage major protests on Wednesday.
The UDD known as the red-shirt group will mount pressure on the Privy Council President Prem Tinsulanonda during its rallies, where about 100,000 people are expected to turn up, to pressure Tinsulanonda to quit.
The anti-government red shirts have accused the Privy Council president, who is His Majesty the King's chief adviser, of being the mastermind behind the September 19, 2006 coup that overthrew the Thaksin Shinawatra government, a charge denied by Prem.
Media threatening Surveillance Center is worried that the confusion may harm the press as it happened on October, 7, 2008, during the time of former Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat, when authorities used tear gas to quell the demonstration of the People’s Alliance for Democracy or the yellow shirt group. A protester died while several were paralyzed and injured, including a number of journalists.
Wanchai Wongmechai, chairman of media rights and freedom committee of the Thai Journalists Association said that the violence last year revealed that the press was at high risk while covering angry and violent protests. But the media needs to go about its work.
“During protests and the resulting melee the anger of demonstrators are often directed at the media because some believe that the media is taking sides. So, the members of the press should be ready to protect themselves,” Wanchai said in a statement by the Thai Journalists Association (TJA).
Last year, ‘The Nation’ newspaper building was blocked by red shirted protesters with the group claiming that the paper distorted facts against former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his allies.
The TJA has provided, a media kit on how to go about news reporting safely during a mass demonstration. It has also opened a news room and assistance centre for the press which operates all day.
According to the acting government spokesman Panitan Watanayagorn, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva advised his Cabinet on Tuesday to do its best to prevent violence. The premier also expressed concern about the possible intervention by a third party to trigger violence during today's red-shirt rally.
In addition, pro-Thaksin red-shirted people held simultaneous rallies at provincial halls of several northern and northeastern provinces on Wednesday morning; particularly Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Lampang.
