CNS should learn from nation's history.
Post Today editorial : The Council for National Security (CNS) order for all broadcast media to stop airing news about former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra is tantamount to an act of interference that does not augur well for the CNS. The council may cite Article 11 under martial law to ban news broadcasting, but there is no justification for doing so.
The CNS is facing problems of its own making. It has failed to deal effectively with people who are against the coup that removed Mr Thaksin from power. Its performance over the past three months rates poorly in opinion polls.
The CNS might be frustrated, but it must come to terms with modern Thailand. It cannot shut the eyes and ears of the public anymore. Keeping the public in the dark will only make things worse for the CNS and the military-installed government of Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont.
Instead of gagging them, the CNS should use the broadcast media to present facts to the public as much as possible. It must try to explain its case against Mr Thaksin, whom it has accused of widespread corruption, abuse of power, causing social divisions and actions deemed insulting to the monarchy.
It is unwise for the CNS to take action that is against the spirit of democracy and freedom of expression. It must learn from the tragic past, when military attempts to stifle freedom and open expression ended in bloodshed.
By informing the public about what went wrong during the past five years of the Thaksin administration, the CNS can regain public confidence.
Bangkok Post
Monday January 15, 2007
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