EYE ON ETHICS

PHILIPPINES—The Manila-based Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) supports the call of media advocacy groups and other concerned sectors to spare media organizations and journalists from threats and attacks while covering the clashes between Thailand’s security forces and protesters.

Violence related to the occupation of portions of Central Bangkok by the Red Shirt partisans of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, had worsened in the last few days, forcing the government to declare an 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew on May 19. Reports said several buildings were set on fire and there were at least four dead and 40 injuries recorded. According to The Bangkok Post, there have been 71 deaths and 1,306 injuries related to the political crisis since April 10.

Journalism can be a dangerous profession especially during crisis situations. The Southeast Asian Press Alliance, a regional alliance of press freedom and free expression groups of which CMFR is a founding member, reported that an Italian photojournalist has died from a gunshot wound and four other media workers injured.

Protesters turned on the local media, which are struggling with credibility and public perceptions of bias. News accounts said rioters attacked government station Channel 3 TV, the office and at least 10 vehicles of which were burned. The TV station stopped broadcasting by 4:30 p.m. The staff of The Bangkok Post and The Nation newspapers also evacuated their respective offices after receiving threats.

CMFR urges both sides to allow the press to work and continue the release of information vital to the public interest. All sides should guarantee the safety of those covering the conflict in Bangkok and nearby provinces.

CMFR maintains that the best protection for journalists is to practice professional and ethical reporting, and urges all practitioners to be accurate as well as fair, and to provide reports that are balanced as well as non-partisan without adding to the already volatile political situation in Thailand.