Newspapers reflect erosion of free speech
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It appears free speech is slowly being eroded in Thailand. As with cracked concrete in a cold country, water seeps into the cracks, there’s a hard freeze, and pieces of concrete get chipped away.
Both English-language daily newspapers in Thailand have restricted their forums, which used to allow readers’ comments. In contrast I see that a daily newspaper in Namibia devotes two full pages each day to comments from readers. Namibians send hundreds of tweets, texts, emails, letters or whatever and see them published. on any topic – even criticising policies put forth by top officials.
Both The Nation and the Bangkok Post still have Letters to the Editor columns, but they’ve stopped allowing online responses and other such commentaries. I advocate opening up lines of communication and enabling anyone with a sound opinion to express it publicly.
Kip Keino
