Professional media associations must make extensive reforms to promote solidarity among journalists and protect freedom of expression, the newly elected president of the National Press Council of Thailand said.

   Banyat Tasaneeyavej called on media associations to promote unity among newspaper journalists so that they would not be exploited by powerful figures.

Banyat, a veteran reporter with Bangkok Post, said there are too many media associations. "We need to consolidate," she said.

There are 10 media associations representing various groups of journalists.

Manit Sooksomjit, senior editor of Thai Rath, said that more dialogue was needed between media associations: "They are too fragmented at the moment, each existing in its own way."

Both Banyat and Manit said the Thai Journalists Association (TJA), which commemorates its 50th anniversary today, needed to reform to catch up with the changes in Thai society and "the tricks of the Thaksin regime".

"It is preposterous what Thaksin told a mass rally [on Friday], that the media interfered with him," Manit said, adding that the public's understanding of the media's role was crucial to strengthening democracy.

Random interviews with journalists about Thaksin's comment found almost all respondents expressing apprehension. The prime minister was trying to divide the press and destroy the public's trust in it, they said.

"We have lots of work to do in the upcoming years, especially the defence of press freedom," said Post Today's Pattara Khampitak, who was elected the new TJA president yesterday.

To cope with external changes, the association needed further reforms, including updating its structure and vision, he said.

However, Banyong Suwannaphong, editor of Economic News, said media reforms could proceed only if local journalists adopted a professional approach.  "They still lack training," he said.

Banyong, who also conducts training programmes at the TJA's Media Development Centre, said the association was working hard to train journalists to ensure they acquire a high standard of professionalism.

"We lack sufficient funding to have long-term and regular training," he said.

TJA is considering forming a "Samakhom Yai" - a big association that most journalists will regard as being representative of them.

At least 2,000 journalist are registered with the TJA, with 700-800 being active members.

Tearmchai Muangtong, TJA's manager, said it had to fight for press freedom.

"People call our office to give us support when we come under fire from the government," she said.

During the past five years, the TJA has issued more than 100 statements that criticise the Thaksin government for muzzling the media. "That's a very bad record," Tearmchai said.

Meanwhile, the press was told by media scholars to be more careful while covering the anti-Thaksin rally today. They urged the press to refrain from publicising provocative speeches and actions that could lead to violence.

Kavi Chongkittavorn

The Nation