Several local media organisations spoke out after the leaking on Monday of an order issued by the government's joint Centre for the Resolution of Emergency Situation (CRES). They included the National Press Council of Thailand, the News Broadcasting Council of Thailand, the Thai Journalists Association, the Thai Broadcast Journalists Association, Online News Providers Association and the National Union of Journalists Thailand. In their joint statement, the local media organisations said they were opposed to any forms of media freedom suppression by any side and urged the government not to abuse the law by silencing the media. They condemned any use of media outlets to distort facts or provoke violence and urged their peers to make sure that their coverage of the political situation was comprehensive and without bias. DES Minister Buddhipongse Punnakanta said none of the named five media outlets - Voice TV, Prachatai.com, The Reporters, The Standard and Free Youth movement - had been banned or taken off the air following the order.

Source: Bangkok Post October 19, 2020 22:41 UTC