Politics And The Press In Thailand

This book examines the relationship between Thai newspaper owners, editors, columnists, and reporters and Thai politicians and power-holders. It discusses the historical and conceptual background of the Thai press, the process of political newsgathering, the work of parliamentary reporters, the internal politics of a newsroom, the influential role of political columnists, and the impact of the 1997 economic crisis on the Thai press. McCargo argues that Thai definitions of news and comment lead to a passive attitude to newsgathering and questionable emphasis when reproducing the opinions of politicians and other senior figures.

An important element in the Thai success story during the boom years of the late 1980s and early 1990s was the flourishing and politically interventionist print media. This book examines the tangled web of relationships linking newspaper owners, editors, columnists and reporters with leading politicians and power-holders. The author was granted access to the editorial meetings and newsrooms of Thailand's leading newspapers. Drawing on numerous interviews and extensive observation, this book unravels the contradictions and dichotomies which underlie political coverage in the Thai language press. The book discusses: the historical and conceptual background of the press in Thailand; the process of political newsgathering; the work of parliamentary reporters; the internal politics of a newsroom; the influential role of political columnists and the impact of the 1997 economic crisis on the Thai press. McCargo argues that Thai definitions of news and comment lead to a passive attitude to newsgathering and questionable emphasis when reproducing the opinions of politicians and other senior figures. Review: 'Essential reading for students of Thai politics.' - Contemporary Southeast Asia