Govt House reporters told to stick to only four questions
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THE Government Spokesman’s Office announced yesterday that reporters on the Government House beat would collectively only be allowed to ask Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha a total of four questions per briefing session.
An official from the office called a Government House reporter by telephone to reprimand her for breaking the rule. The official insisted she adhere strictly to the rule, insisting that the “four-question rule” applied at all times.
She explained to her that reporters could only ask one question at a time, and the entire group could ask no more than four questions per session, the reporter said.
The official also told her that she would call on other reporters to cooperate.
The government spokesman team has been asking reporters to stick with the four-question rule since last month, saying that the aim is to maintain order during Prayut’s daily press briefing sessions.
The rule was announced a week after the prime minister became notably furious at the reporters.
Some media organisations have opposed the rule, saying that it infringed on their rights to question the government.
Prayut has since answered only four questions in line with the rule until last Tuesday, when he appeared in a good mood and answered all queries that reporters, taking advantage of the situation, put forward.
