Media for Democracy in Thailand

Photo by Sarod Wellmanee

Introduction

The Media for Democracy Program of Heinrich Böll Stiftung aims at the promotion of freedom of expression through various forms of media, including community radio and internet. The program supports a legal framework and policies which ensure fairness and promote gender democracy. Emphasis is given to advocating public policy and enhancing coordination among community radio networks and internet user networks. Activities to be supported include research and studies, workshops, public fora, and exchange programs with international organizations. Collaboration is made with media freedom campaigners, law academics and mass media academics in order to monitor relevant policies and laws related to the right to freedom of expression upheld in a democratic society. more››

Activities
Seminar
Three years of the Computer Crime-related Act: Rule of Law and the Accountability of the Government
July 21, 2010 -

Last July marked the third year after the Computer Crime-related Act has come into force. An activity that drew wide coverage from the press was the seminar to mark the “Third years of Computer Crime-related Act: Rule of Law and the Accountability of the Government”, supported by the Heinrich Böll Stiftung.

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Seminar & Report
Report on Community Radio Intervention under Emergency Decree – July 14, 2010 -

The Emergency Decree on Government Administration in States of Emergency has been enforced since April 2010 and a number of community radio stations have been shut down by invoking the law.

Campaign for Popular Media Reform (CPMR) more»
Publications
Publication
“New Media: Born to Be Democracy”
February 3, 2011 - The meaning of the term ‘new media’ is still elusive. However, it can be said that new media is associated with information technology or the internet, and is an interactive form of communication. This book tries to explore the role of new media in social movements in Thailand, and how it will develop, through interviews with academics, journalists and activists. It is found that, among other things, new media has taken an increasingly important role in communication, challenging the conventional means of news consumption. Chuwat Lerksirisuk (Prachatai bookclub) more»
Report
Situational Report on Control and Censorship of Online Media, through the Use of Laws and the Imposition of Thai State Policies – December 9, 2010 -

"Considering the sketchy data on the 74,686 URLs blocked by the MICT,and the CRES casting a net to block ranges of IP addresses, no one can deny that the Thai people's right to freedom of expression and opinion in the online world is in crisis"

The Situational Report on Control and Censorship of online Media, through the Use of Laws and the Imposition of the Thai State Policies is part of a research project on the effects of the Computer Crime Act 2007 and state policies on the right to freedom of expression by iLaw Project and the research team supported by Heinrich Boell Stiftung Southeast Asia.

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Study
Community Radio Baseline Study – 158 Community Radio stations were surveyed through questionnaires, based on quantitative methodology, to analyze the situation of community radio stations in Thailand. The four main issues are:  the profile of community radio stations; contents of community radio programs and productions, accessibility and participation - also regarding gender; the obstacles from state policy and other factors causing community radio stations' insecurity; concluding policy recommendations. By the Heinrich Böll Foundation - Southeast Asia Regional Office and others more»