Thailand’s media organizations are going to be amazed at just how fucking free they will be under the new constitution if comments from its drafting committee are to be believed.
Taking a break from rewriting the essence of Thai law, the junta-appointed framers of the next, new-and-improved constitution boldly stated in no clear terms their commitment to an unfettered press.
“The Constitutional Drafting Committee has agreed that the media should have freedom to share and distribute information under the new charter,” read an announcement in state media.
That’s great news. After all affirming the freedom to say or write things that other humans might hear or read is a great first start. Especially coming from leadership which has frequently expressed its frustration with criticism and moved aggressively to stifle dissent.
Going further, the media will “never” be gagged or shut down, according to spokesman Gen. Lertrat Ratanavanich of the Constitutional Drafting Committee, unless they violate a series of hazy and subjective standards.
He said drafters agreed to add language to give the press “more freedom” to give the public “more correct” information.
It was left unsaid who would decide what information is correct and incorrect, but Lertrat cast a pretty wide and subjective net: Authorities will reserve the right to shut anyone down to maintain order or “prevent hatred, which may lead to conflict and hostility.”
Certainly no one wants anyone to feel upset about anything. Certainly not by distracting social issues such as forced slavery aboard commercial fishing vessels, institutional complicity in human trafficking or savaging of the natural world by unchecked corporate greed.
Better we enjoy this cat photo of a silly kitty who goes from handsome-to-hideous in the time it takes to fall asleep.
Source: The Internet
