• 
• 

Published on September 14, 2007

In the next two months, news coverage of cases of domestic violence could lead to legal action against anyone who reports it in the media.

When the Domestic-Violence Victim Protection Act takes effect on November 13, the media will be effectively barred from reporting on domestic violence cases after they reach the hands of police investigators or relevant authorities.

Offenders under this clause will face up to six months in jail or a Bt60,000 fine, or both.

"It is intended to keep families from falling apart," Suwit Khantharoj said yesterday in his capacity as director of the Social Development and Human Security Ministry's Office of Women's Affairs and Family Development.

He said this act was meant to respond to concerns that news coverage might stand in the way between family members who could otherwise be reconciled.

"We do not mean to infringe on press freedom. It is just that media should think about human rights too," Suwit said.

He was speaking at a seminar held by the Office of Women's Affairs and Family Development and Thammasat University Research and Consultant Institute, which attracted some 100 relevant officials and interested members of the public.

Sanpasit Khumpraphan, who heads the Centre for the Protection of Children's Rights Foundation, said he would soon contact the Thai Journalists Association in a bid to create understanding among journalists about how to proceed with domestic-violence cases.

Thammasat University law lecturer Assoc Prof Narong Jaiharn said the media might publish news reports but strictly without names, addresses, photos or information that could be used to identify the victims or instigators of domestic violence.

Narong said if any media outlet defied the ban, anyone - not necessarily those involved in the cases - could lodge a complaint with police against the outlet. "Under this act, incest cases must not appear in news reports to protect the victims," he explained.

An official at the Office of Women's Affairs and Family Development later pointed out that had the Domestic-Violence Victim Protection Act been effective a year ago, the high-profile case involving tutorial king Prakitpao Thomthitchong might have not appeared in the media.

Puangchompoo Prasert

 The Nation