Reporters will be required to have a licence to do their jobs or face a jail term up to two years or a fine not more than 60,000 baht, or both, according to the latest version of the media reform bill to be proposed by a reform panel. A journalist who fails to acquire alicence within the defined period will face a jail term up to two years or a fine not more than 60,000 baht. "We found providing a traditional massage service without a licence is punishable by two years in jail even though the impacts the media have is much more extensive," he said. The National Mass Media Professional Council will draft the details," he said, referring to the yet-to-be-set-up council, another contentious element of the bill. "We know the 30 mass media organisations are against it.

Source: Bangkok Post April 26, 2017 14:03 UTC