The discovery of hidden microphones in a press room at Thailand's telecommunications ministry has stirred suspicion in the media, and newspapers are accusing the government of spying on journalists and violating press freedom.
A national watchdog group yesterday urged the government to investigate the incident and said any attempt by the state to interfere with the media's work would violate the constitution.
"We've asked the ministry to cooperate with our fact-finding team to investigate the incident," said Prasong Lertrattanawisuthe, vice president of the Thai Journalists' Association.
If such eavesdropping did take place, it was an interference with media freedom and a violation of a basic human rights, Prasong said.
Information and Communications Technology Minister Surapong Suebwonglee denied he had ordered any bugging.
"I can guarantee you, on my honor, that there was no such eavesdropping. I welcome any investigation by any media organization for the sake of public concern," Surapong told reporters on Monday.
The controversy broke out last week when reporters at the ministry found two small microphones attached to the ceiling of their office. Officials at the state telephone utility, TOT, told them the devices were connected to the ministry control room.
A senior TOT executive, Chamras Tantreesukon, told reporters on Monday the press room had taken over part of the ministry's conference room, which he said had been fitted with sensor microphones to ease tech-nicians' work during briefings.
Despite the ministry's denials, the respected Bangkok Post said in an editorial on Tuesday that the apparent bugging was unconscionable, unethical, and most probably illegal.
The paper said, "It points to a very insecure administration contemptuous of the people it was elected to serve."
The government of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra is notorious for its intolerance of criticism, media watchdogs say.
Thaksin never hesitates to lash out at his critics in the press, while some journalists perceived as rocking the boat have suddenly found themselves without jobs.
The government's National Human Rights Commission said yesterday that it was ready to investigate the allegation if it received any complaints.
"I would like to urge anyone, even a journalist who used to use that room, to file a complaint to us so we can start an investigation," said human rights commissioner Pradit Charoenthaitawee.
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