Pressures from Thailand’s media regulator, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), has forced Voice TV to suspend two news commentators for alleged partiality and frequently reporting on former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

Virot Ali – one of two political commentators suspended from the Wake Up News program – said the NBTC accused him and his colleague, Sirote Klampaiboon, of being biased.

“The [commission] left us with no option. They said we have committed repeated violations and threatened to revoke our license.” Virot said, referring to the permit to operate the TV station.

The military-backed National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) retains unchecked power with total impunity for human rights violations. Over the past four years, Voice TV and other local media outlets have been punished by NBTC and authorities for violating rules set by the junta.

The enforced censorship, intimidation, and blocked public discussions about human rights and democracy have left the country’s human rights record in a state of disarray. Virot said the commission gave no explanation or written order, and that the station was told to propose how to penalize itself. He added that he believes the military regime pressured the commission to act.

Voice TV director Prateep Kongsip said his station remained faithful to media freedom and democracy, and that its work was not unlawful. “We are wrong only because we have irritated the powers that be,” he said. “But ultimately, we reserve the right to fight this in the justice system.”

Why Target Voice TV?

Voice TV is owned by the family of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Many believe the series of pressure on the TV network is intended to intimidate the ousted leader.

This is not the first time the NCPO-controlled media regulator has strangled news outlets.

In March 2017, Voice TV was suspended for seven days for alledgedly producing false reports from March 15 to March 20 about the alleged role of the state in the summary killing of a Lahu activist, abuse of power by some military personnel, and police involvement in a controversial casino located in the Thai-Cambodian disputed zone.

The Thai junta retains unchecked power with total impunity for human rights violations. Over the past four years, authorities have routinely enforced censorship and blocked public discussions about human rights and democracy. – Human Rights Watch

Junta’s War on Freedom of Expression

This an attack on freedom of opinion, which is the inviolable component of the right to free expression. Press freedom guarantees that news and current affairs programs facilitate the formation of opinion on public interest issues free from government interference.

But in Thailand, authorities expect media outlets to kowtow to the propaganda of the ruling military elites.