Bangkok: The government insists there was no order to interfere and that media criticism is welcome. The government spokesperson confirmed that there is no monitoring of the media and no orders to interfere, stating that the media has the right to criticize and the government is ready to listen.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek, spokesperson for the Prime Minister's Office, addressed news reports regarding media freedom and claims that the government is specifically monitoring or watching certain media outlets. She stated that these claims are incorrect. The government has no policy to suppress the media, has not issued any orders to interfere, and has not taken any actions to pressure the press in performing its duties. The government, under the leadership of Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, clearly affirms the principle that media freedom is a crucial mechanism in a democratic system. The government respects the function of all media outlets, including mainstream media, online media, and public content producers, especially reporting based on facts, verifiable information, and consideration of the public interest. The government does not interfere with the media, has not ordered surveillance, has not specifically monitored any news outlet, and has n ot used state power to suppress the media's work. The fact that the public can see daily is that the media continues to present news, scrutinize, comment on, and criticize the government's work. If the government had a policy to suppress the media, this scrutiny and criticism would not be evident in the public sphere as it is today.
Regarding the announcement that the "Deep Dive into Thailand" program has ceased broadcasting with MCOT, this is not related to any orders or interference from the government. It also does not mean that media outlets or program hosts can no longer scrutinize, criticize, or present information about the government. All media outlets can still function normally, based on facts and social responsibility.
Ms. Rachada also stated that, in the operation of the government, it is necessary to monitor news. This is a normal task for all agencies to ensure the government is aware of feedback, problems, complaints, and criticisms from the public. In cases of fake news, distorted news, or inaccurate information, the government has a duty to clarify the facts to the public promptly. This is not about restricting the rights of or threatening any specific media outlet. Furthermore, if news monitoring were completely prohibited, how could the government possibly understand public opinion?
The government wants Thai politics to proceed constructively, without viewing scrutinizers as adversaries. The media, civil society, the private sector, and political parties should perform their duties honestly and straightforwardly, as the ultimate benefit accrues to the people and the country as a whole. The government is ready to listen and provide space for continuous scrutiny of its work, and reiterates that it has no policy of interfering with the media, strictly adhering to the principle of freedom of the press in accordance with democratic principles.