Media 'faced many obstacles'

Last year was one of the most challenging for members of the Thai media, who faced obstacles including state intervention, attempts to limit freedom of speech and the flood disaster, the Thai Journalists Association reports.

"Division of thoughts and ideologies continued to dominate the nation throughout the year 2011 and the media have been questioned over their neutrality in their coverage," the TJA said in its year-end report.

"Many people also viewed that the media were fuelling political conflicts."

The TJA listed six major incidents that affected the media last year.

The first involved the intimidation of Somjit Nawakruasunthorn, a female television reporter, by government supporters. They circulated the reporter's picture on the internet and threatened to harm her for asking tough questions of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

Another scandal was the leak of two emails in late June claiming that Pheu Thai Party staff paid money to five reporters in exchange for coverage of the party's election campaign.

The National Press Council of Thailand launched an investigation and found no evidence to prove payments were made to the journalists.

The Culture Ministry's push for cabinet approval of the draft amendment to the Printing Act was seen by media professionals as an attempt to limit media freedom.

The bill gave sweeping power to the national police chief to censor and ban printed materials. The government, however, backed off with the bill following an outcry from media organisations.

The formation of the 11-member National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission on Oct 7 after years of delay was a milestone in frequency reform and regulation of broadcast media, according to the TJA.

The media played an important role in flood relief by setting up donation centres and distributing supplies.

"Last year, the media proved to be a key player in flood relief operations and also served as a complaint centre, which helped affected people get fast assistance," the TJA said in its report.

Two reporters died on duty last year. Channel 5 cameraman Sornwichai Khongtannikul was killed in a helicopter crash while covering the search and rescue operation of Black Hawk helicopters in Kaeng Krachan National Park in Phetchaburi province. 

Issarawan Chamlongpen, 23, a Thai PBS reporter, was killed in a car accident in Nakhon Ratchasima. Issarawan and her team were on their way back from Si Sa Ket province, where they had reported on villagers affected by the Rasi Salai Dam.