Samak - Threat to freedom of speech

The following is a statement released by the TJA:

May 3, 2008

A media study concludes Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej's antagonistic discourse with Thai media posts threat to freedom of the press and is counter-productive to the development of democratic society.

According to the study, Samak's crude languages, his abrasive manner, his reluctance to cooperate and his rebuttal to criticisms during press interviews are aimed at discrediting the media and prevent them from scrutinizing the government.

The 142-page study, launched by Thai Journalists Association as part of a celebration of World Press Freedom Day on May 3 follows a growing concern among academic and media community that Samak's use of antagonistic discourse with the press has become disproportionate.

The study looks at behaviors, patterns and communication strategies of Samak through his interviews that appeared in television news programs, newspapers and his public talk show entitled "Samak Talks" between October 2007 and March 2008. It was conducted by Media Monitor, a local media watchdog group.

The prime minister's most notorious discourse was when he struck back at a persistent reporter with am indecent question, "Did you drink with anyone last night?" He frequently uses crude words like Tham (Low), Heng Suay (Suck) or Laeo (Bad) to attack the media or individuals who criticize him.

"As a prime minister, he fails to understand his role in political communication process and the same time chooses to ignore an important role of the media in democratic society by failing to respect the media's dignity and prestige.

"Most of the messages from his discourse are neither useful and nor contribute to the political participation process and a check and balance system," said the study.

According to the study, 8 communication behaviors and strategies are analysed as follows.

1) Answering Points

The prime minister often chooses to be incoherent or does not give the right answer. When he answers, his answer always solicits less important information or he gives close-ended answers in order to end the interview as quickly as possible. Meanwhile his lengthy answer also lacks substance.

2)Answering Strategies

The prime minister always avoids question by striking back at reporters with questions, scorning interviewers, spinning news, questioning questions and refusing to answer. His statements are often implicit, giving room for interpretation, being satirical and omitting some messages.

3) Politicians' language

The prime minister is often satirical when referring to a third party. He often uses comparison to sneer at opponents or ideas that oppose his. This is the tactic he used most, followed by using metaphor, beating the bushes, making funs out of the issues. This is to avoid being scrutinized.

Most of his abusive languages are being used to correct and rebut the media's negative reports about him and his administration. Samak seldom uses such languages when talking about the government's performance.

4)  Cooperation in conversation

The prime minister often shows his reluctance to cooperate during a conversation or an interview by avoiding question or giving irrelevant answer. His answer is always incomplete because it lacks necessary information and full of repeated sentences.

5) Non-verbal communication

-Facial gesture and eye contact

The prime minister often frowns when he is displeased with reporters' questions and shows bold face when he wants to attack his political opponents.

-Gesture

The prime minister uses a lot of hand gestures while he is talking to the press. In some stances; he points his index finger at the reporter he is arguing with.

-Voice

The prime minister's voice is outstanding as it truly reflects his out-spoken and testy personality. He speaks fast and speedily at times. His voice is always aggressive, curt and clear during the interview. It often reflects sarcasm when he refers to a third party or reporters.

-Temper

The prime minister always shows his temper. He frowns with his eye browns folded when he is displeased. His voice is softer when he is in good mood.

6) Contents from "Samak Talks" (broadcasted live every Sunday between 8.30 and 9.30 am on National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT), formerly government-run Channel 11)

Most of the contents focus on the prime minister's rebuttal to criticisms from political opponents such as newspapers, televisions, political opponents, academics and People's Alliance for Democracy. The media outlet (NBT) is, therefore, being used to publicise and promote the government's agendas.

7)  Impolite words

The study finds the prime minister's words are often impolite, curt and tempered. These words are getting stronger as he speaks. They are often peppered with his swinging mood and outburst of emotion, especially when he is discontent with the questions or wanting to rap at the media.

8) Antagonistic discourse with the media

The study finds the prime minister often shows his reluctance to cooperate, avoids the issue and strikes back at reporters with indecent questions such as "What is your problem?, Why are you asking this for?, Who dies of this problem? Or is this all your gut? These strategies are used to control the conversation and deliberately make it a one-way communication in order to avoid giving information. The use of his persuasive language follows in order to win sympathy from his audience that he is unfairly treated and hurt.

His most frequently-used discourse is "Give me time to work".   This sentence often follows by words that are critical against his critics such as unethical, vulgar and bad guys.