The National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) whips have put the brakes on the controversial bill to regulate the media following fierce opposition from media organisations.

The media bodies are demanding the removal of ACM Kanit Suwannate as head of the NRSA's media reform steering panel.

Kamnoon Sidhisamarn, spokesman of the NRSA whips, said the whips agreed in principle with the bill's call for a national media profession council but there are details that need to be reviewed.

The NRSA's media reform steering panel has been asked to revise the draft law and the NRSA's planned meetings on Monday and Tuesday to deliberate the bill have been cancelled, he said.

Mr Kamnoon said elements to be further considered include the composition of the council and its authority which are the subjects of intense debate in the media industry.

"We've agreed with the principle of self-regulation by the media profession council. But the council's structure must be reviewed and settled first before we can move ahead with the issue of authority and power," he said.

The make-up of the council proposed under the bill has sparked uproar among media groups which see it as a mechanism to pave the way for state interference and control of the media.

The proposed council comprises 13 members, four of whom would be the permanent secretaries of the finance, digital economy and society, culture, ministries and the PM's Office.

Media representatives from 30 organisations lodged a petition Thursday with the NRSA, calling for the ouster of ACM Kanit as they said he lacked understanding about the issue.

They also accused the committee chairman of distorting facts when he claimed the bill was backed by media representatives and had passed a public hearing.

Also on Thursday, a group of four journalists who were members of a sub-committee on media reforms announced their resignation in protest against the draft legislation.

Suwanna Sombatraksasuk, one of the four, said the sub-committee's version of the bill was altered by the Kanit committee with two elements found absolutely unacceptable -- government oversight of the media industry and licensing of media professionals.

Former president of the Thai Journalists Association Pradit Ruangdit said the drafters of the bill have insufficient understanding of the media's role and it is impossible to work together.

"If this bill is enacted, it would be a blemish on national reforms. Freedom of the press is the force driving national reforms," he said.

Supinya Klangnarong, a member of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, voiced disagreement over state control but urged the media to come up with effective self-regulation to ensure accountability.

ACM Kanit shrugged off calls for his replacement.

Source:
courtesy of BANGKOK POST

by MONGKOL BANGPRAPA

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