Human rights advocates have joined press corps to oppose the controversial media bill, saying the legislation would undermine independent news reporting and deprive people of having access to information. Their concerns have been echoed by Human Rights Watch and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC). "The misnamed media rights and freedom law is the junta's latest attempt to increase government interference and control of any independent news reporting," said Brad Adams, Asia director at Human Rights Watch. "The proposed media law is taking Thailand even further away from the junta's promised election and restoration of democratic rule," Mr Adams said in the statement released yesterday. Chairman of the Media Reform Committee, ACM Kanit Suwannate, said he understands the media's concerns about a 15-member national media council formed under the bill which would include two representatives from state agencies.

Source: Bangkok Post April 29, 2017 23:48 UTC