police's camouflage: camouflage and rights of reporters
Let’s imagine that there is one reporter who does not seem on any side on the protest. It is extremely hard that people can expect reporters as police officers. However, this unexpected situation came true. In June 2013, protestors were arrested by few police officers that were disguised as Thai reporters and showed their identities as reporters in TJA or Thai Journalists Association.
Let’s see the person at the left side of picture. He has necklace with badge that symbolizes the identity as TJA reporters. Having badge allowed reporters’ safety, activity as reporters, and credibility of TJA reporters. However, Manop Thip-Osod, vice-president of TJA, mentioned that camouflage of police as reporters tarnished reporter’s image and is disrespect for freedom of media in Thailand.
JTA solved this problem through making new badge that is not possible to make false ones and easier to figure out reporters. On the other hand, badge is not the important element in this incident; it is more important that government interrupted and prevented freedom of media and freedom of expression. Even though Thailand practices elections and allows capitalism in its country, this small case exemplified that Thailand is still far away of having freedom of media and expression in the country.
Let’s see the person at the left side of picture. He has necklace with badge that symbolizes the identity as TJA reporters. Having badge allowed reporters’ safety, activity as reporters, and credibility of TJA reporters. However, Manop Thip-Osod, vice-president of TJA, mentioned that camouflage of police as reporters tarnished reporter’s image and is disrespect for freedom of media in Thailand.
JTA solved this problem through making new badge that is not possible to make false ones and easier to figure out reporters. On the other hand, badge is not the important element in this incident; it is more important that government interrupted and prevented freedom of media and freedom of expression. Even though Thailand practices elections and allows capitalism in its country, this small case exemplified that Thailand is still far away of having freedom of media and expression in the country.