Journalists, academics and newspapers reacted with dismay yesterday at the replacement of the editor of the Bangkok Post, calling it the latest in a series of moves aimed at smothering all criticism of the government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.
The Bangkok Post, Thailand's oldest and largest-circulation English-language newspaper, said it was replacing its editor, Veera Prateepchaikul, with executive editor Kowit Sanandang, who will take over tomorrow.
In a front-page comment, the rival paper The Nation deplored the switch, saying it indicated a retreat from the Post's stated policy of reporting the news in "a straightforward, accurate, balanced and fair manner."
"Like the Bangkok Post's journalists, we need assurances from proprietors of editorial independence to report without fear or bias," said The Nation.
"This is a trying time for all of us as the government continues to muzzle the media and their owners.
Unfortunately, the current Thai leaders have made no commitment to stop interfering in the media," the newspaper said.
About 80 Bangkok Post journalists signed a statement denouncing the removal of Veera, who was "kicked upstairs" to the job of deputy editor-in-chief of Post Publishing.
"There is no single greater asset to this company than our brand, reputation and image among our readers that the Bangkok Post remains objective and committed to supporting what is right and opposing what is wrong," said the Post employees' statement. "To turn from this road will lead us astray. To compromise these principles will betray those very qualities that are held to be our greatest strengths among our readers."
Bangkok Post journalists said Veera and other editors faced pressure from the newspaper's board of directors to mute criticism of the Thaksin government.
They said the pressure had been partially effective at bending the Post's editorial policy to fit the political goals of the Thaksin government and the financial goals of the paper's owners.
"But that wasn't enough for the shareholders," said one disgruntled Post writer, who asked not to be named. "The shareholders are taking control of editorial policy. The Bangkok Post has become an organ of the Thaksin government."
Post journalists said Veera was unpopular with some of the Post's major shareholders because of his close association with the labour movement and the Thai Journalists Association, of which he served as president for the past two years.
The association issued a statement demanding the Post board issue a clarification of the reasons for Veera's removal.
Post Publishing executive committee chairman Suthikiati Chirathivat denied the switch of editors was the result of political pressure and insisted the paper would not bow to pressure from politicians or business interests.
Vilasinee Pepithakul, a lecturer at Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Communication Arts, was quoted by The Nation as saying the editor's removal was a clear sign of intervention by business and politics in the media.
"Although it is an internal affair, the removal can be linked to the government, in particular the prime minister," she said. "What's worrying is that from now on anyone who upsets the prime minister would face the same fate."
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