Journalists association warn EC complaint may affect media freedom

The Thai Journalists Association (TJA) issued a statement today urging the Election Commission (EC) to reconsider its police complaint accusing a news photographer, along with five others, of committing multiple offenses, including criminal association.

The TJA said it fully respects the EC’s election regulations and its adherence to the principle of direct and secret voting, which is a fundamental constitutional right of voters.

However, it added that in resorting to legal action against a member of the media, the EC must act in accordance with the principles of necessity and proportionality.

The EC, the TJA said, must clearly distinguish between election interference and the duty and responsibility of the media to seek the truth and monitor the transparency of the election process.

The TJA pointed out that the charge of criminal association filed against the photographer, Songphol Ruangsamut of Spacebar, and the five others is a serious offense carrying severe penalties. It warned that such action may affect media freedom and create fear among journalists in carrying out their duty to provide information to the public.

The TJA said it hopes the EC will reconsider the accusations.

The five others named by the EC are former election commissioner Somchai Srisutthiyakorn; People’s Party spokesman Parit Wacharasindhu; Thammathee Sukchoterat, director of D-Vote at Sripatum University; Thanarat Kuawattanaphan, CEO of Domecloud; and Chaiyaphan Chavalvanichai, owner of M.I.B. Market in Black.