NRSA calls for review of media regulatory bill following strong opposition from journalists
Following strong objections from many media groups, National Reform Steering Assembly whips on February 2 advised its media reform committee to revise the contentious media regulatory bill. Kamnoon Sidhisamarn, secretary and spokesman of the NRSA coordination committee, said at a press conference that the whips decided to return two draft laws to the media reform panel for review. The spokesman said the controversial issues regarding the bill on media reform, such as the composition and the authority of the proposed “media professional council”, would be reviewed by taking into consideration complaints made by media organisations. It remained unclear when the revision would be completed, but Kamnoon said it “should not take long”. One bill involves the protection of media rights and liberties and the promotion of occupational values and standards, while another bill involves the registration of media organisations. The former point has been strongly opposed by 30 media organisations nationwide, which issued two statements denouncing the bill as opening the door for state interference in the media sector.
