BANGKOK:Thai police said on Monday they had ordered an investigation of four news outlets under emergency measures imposed last week to try to stop three months of protests against the government and monarchy.
The announcement prompted anger from media groups and accusations of an attack on press freedom by the government of Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, the former junta leader the protesters are seeking to drive from office.
According to a police document dated Oct. 16, investigations have been ordered into content from four media outlets as well as the Facebook page of a protest group.
"We received information from intelligence units concerned that parts of the content and distorted information have been used and disseminated to cause confusion and instigate causing unrest to society," police spokesman Kissana Phathanacharoen told a news conference.
He said it was for Thailand's broadcast regulator and digital ministry to investigate and take appropriate action, adding that there was no plan to curb press freedom.
Putchapong Nodthaisong, a spokesman for the digital ministry, said it had requested court orders to take down content by the four media outlets and a protest page, among more than 300,000 pieces of content it said violated Thai laws.
Prachatai, an independent outlet among those being investigated, described it as a censorship order.
"Honored to report accurate info about human rights and political development in Thailand, we'll try our best in continuing to do so," Prachathai English said on Twitter.
The Manushya Foundation, an independent group which campaigns for online freedom, called the measures an attempt to silence free media.
"Since the ban on protests did not work, the military-backed government hopes to create fear of telling the truth," its director Emilie Palamy Pradichit said.
"We urge free media to resist."
The government ordered a ban on news and online information that could affect national security last Thursday as it also banned political gatherings of more than five people in the face of the growing challenge.
Protests have taken place every day since then, the latest drawing tens of thousands of people in Bangkok and across the country. Police gave a figure of 20,000 protesters in the capital.
"We will prosecute everyone," deputy Bangkok police chief Piya Tawichai said, adding that 74 protesters had been arrested since Oct. 13.
Protesters seek the removal of Prime Minister Prayuth, accusing him of engineering last year's election to keep hold of power he first seized in a 2014 coup. He says the election was fair.
The protesters have also grown more vocal in demanding reforms to the monarchy to reduce the powers of King Maha Vajiralongkorn. The Royal Palace has made no comment on the protests or protesters' demands.
Protesters have said they will demonstrate every day, but had yet to set out a plan for protests on Monday.
Prayuth has said he will not quit. Speaking at Government House on Monday, Prayuth said he supported a proposal for a special parliament session to discuss the situation. His supporters have a majority in parliament.
"We are just asking people not to do wrong and destroy the government and people’s property," he said. "What the government needs to do is to protect the monarchy."
Reuters
Mon Oct 19 2020
Pro-democracy protesters shine their mobile phone lights during an anti-government protest, in Bangkok, Thailand October 18, 2020. REUTERS Pic
KPKT umum pembinaan PPR Bestari Jaya, selesai masalah perumahan lima ladang di Selangor sejak 1998
KPKT mengumumkan pembinaan Projek Perumahan Rakyat (PPR) Bestari Jaya bagi menyelesaikan isu perumahan yang dihadapi 245 keluarga peneroka.
Isu kasino Forest City: Polis rekod keterangan petugas portal bahasa Inggeris
Polis merakam keterangan seorang petugas media sebuah portal berbahasa Inggeris bagi membantu siasatan berhubung penerbitan artikel mengenai kasino di Forest City.
[TERKINI] Majlis Perasmian Persidangan DSA & Natsec 2024
Majlis Pembukaan Pameran Dan Persidangan DSA & Natsec Asia 2024 oleh Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim di Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (MITEC), Kuala Lumpur.
Syed Saddiq fail semakan tindakan PM, kerajaan henti peruntukan untuk Muar
Syed Saddiq dan tiga pengundi memfailkan permohonan kebenaran untuk mendapatkan semakan kehakiman di Mahkamah Tinggi berhubung tindakan pemberhentian peruntukan untuk Parlimen Muar.
Liputan terhadap Israel, perang di Gaza tidak terjejas - Al Jazeera
Editor pengurusan Arab saluran itu, Mohamed Moawad berkata ada kaedah lain yang akan digunakan oleh pasukannya dalam membawakan perkembangan terkini dari tanah Palestin itu.
Polis nafi serangan terhadap Faisal, Akhyar berkait 'bookie'
Polis menafikan dakwaan kononnya kes serangan terhadap dua pemain bola sepak negara mempunyai kaitan dengan pengendali pertaruhan (bookie).
Polis tahan dua lelaki, rampas dadah lebih 21kg
Polis menahan dua lelaki tempatan yang dipercayai terbabit dengan aktiviti pengedaran dadah di Jalan Medan Simpang, Simpang dekat Taiping.
Universiti Nottingham, Astro AWANI anjur sidang meja bulat Kewartawanan Dalam Era Gangguan AI
Perbincangan meja bulat ini bertujuan menyediakan platform untuk membincangkan implikasi AI terhadap kewartawanan dan masyarakat.
AWANI Ringkas: Dua daripada lima rakyat sanggup berhenti kerja
Ikuti rangkuman berita utama yang menjadi tumpuan sepanjang hari di Astro AWANI menerusi AWANI Ringkas.
Jualan Proton pada April naik 17 peratus kepada 11,025 unit
Proton mencatatkan pertumbuhan 17.1 peratus pada April 2024 dengan 11,025 unit dijual dalam pasaran domestik dan eksport.
NRES rancang lestarikan industri plastik sekali guna elak pencemaran
Kementerian Sumber Asli dan Kelestarian Alam (NRES) merancang untuk melestarikan industri plastik sekali guna menerusi satu peralihan yang seimbang dalam bidang itu.
Anwar harap terminal baharu LTSIP jana lebih banyak peluang ekonomi di Kelantan
Anwar Ibrahim berharap terminal baharu Lapangan Terbang Sultan Ismail Petra (LTSIP) fasa satu, yang mula beroperasi semalam, mampu menjana lebih banyak peluang ekonomi di Kelantan.
Terima anugerah Reader's Digest buat kali kelima, Ahmad Zahid ucap tahniah kepada Kemas
Timbalan Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi mengucapkan tahniah kepada Jabatan Kemajuan Masyarakat (Kemas) yang meraih Anugerah Jenama Paling Dipercayai buat kali kelima bagi kategori Pu
AIM menang Anugerah Industri Kewangan Islam Global
AIM memenangi anugerah Islamic Finance News apabila dinobat IFN Best Islamic Microfinance Institution, serta menerima dua anugerah di bawah Global Good Governance Awards (3G).
Pulau Pinang akan bincang, teliti kenaikan gaji penjawat awam negeri - Chow
Kerajaan Pulau Pinang akan membincangkan mengenai kenaikan gaji penjawat awam di negeri itu pada Majlis Mesyuarat Kerajaan Negeri akan datang, menurut Ketua Menteri Chow Kon Yeow.
Jambatan Bailey di Jalan Kuantan-Segamat dibuka semula hari ini
Jambatan Bailey di Seksyen 102 Jalan Kuantan-Segamat yang ditutup sebelum ini untuk kerja-kerja pembaikan dibuka semula bermula 4 petang tadi.
Pengguna Facebook, Instagram luang 60% masa menonton video
Menurut Meta, kini pengguna meluangkan 60% daripada masa penggunaan di platform berkenaan dengan menonton video.
Semua pihak diminta siap siaga, segera salurkan bantuan mangsa banjir - Ab Rauf
Wakil rakyat dan agensi berkaitan termasuk pihak berkuasa tempatan diarahkan supaya siap siaga dan menyalurkan bantuan awal kepada semua mangsa yang terjejas akibat banjir terutama di Alor Gajah.
'Bila boss?' - Sian See tuntut janji Rafizi
Pempengaruh media sosial, Lim Sian See memberi peringatan kepada Menteri Ekonomi, Rafizi Ramli berhubung jemputan untuk muncul dalam program podcast 'berjudul, ang Bakar Menteri'.
Hina Raja Perlis, peniaga dihadap ke mahkamah
Seorang peniaga dihadapkan ke Mahkamah Sesyen, di sini hari ini atas kesalahan menghantar perkhidmatan komunikasi jelik mengenai Raja Perlis di laman Facebook pada Mac lalu.