Gag order not a solutionDES Minister Chaiwut Thanakhamanusorn at a press conference on the arrests of 18 social media users who allegedly disseminated fake news amid the Covid-19 crisis yesterday. Signed by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, this new order issued in compliance with Section 9 of the Emergency Decree became effective yesterday. It is not the calling of a democratically elected government to gag the press to eradicate fake news. This media gag order has been used far too many times in Thailand; it has been popular among coup makers and autocratic governments desperately needing to navigate public opinion. The way to deal with misinformation and disinformation is not placing a gag order, but to have a cool head, open mind, good communication skills, and for this government especially, an insanely good PR team.

Source: Bangkok Post July 30, 2021 23:26 UTC