[HCDX] Thailand: Government shuts down radio stations

["Zacharias Liangas " <greekdx@xxxxxxxxx>]

Thailand: Government shuts down radio stations

http://davaotoday.com/news/2007/05/24/thailand-government-shuts-
down-radio-stations/

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is outraged at reports 
that three Thai radio stations were shut down soon after airing an 
interview with former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

IFJ president Christopher Warren said the closures of Confidante, Taxi 
Driver Community Radio and Saturday Voice Against Dictatorship 
appeared to be blatant intimidation against media outlets who challenge 
the government.

?The current military-appointed government?s record of respecting 
press freedom grows weaker and weaker every day, which also 
seriously undermines its promises of an eventual democracy with free 
elections,? Warren said.

According to local reports, Thaksin gave his first interview since the 
September 2006 coup to Confidante from London, and it was also 
broadcast on Taxi Driver Community Radio and Saturday Voice Against 
Dictatorship.

Hours after the interview was aired, government officials showed up at 
the Confidante offices, confiscated the recording of the interview, and 
shut the station down.

?The people of Thailand need to have access to information on both 
sides of the political divide in order to be able to make an informed 
decision during the upcoming election,? Warren said.

Legal proceedings have since begun against Confidante and Taxi 
Driver Community Radio, and the server for Saturday Voice Against 
Dictatorship has been blocked. The station is only available via the 
internet.

This is at least the second time in six months that Saturday Voice has 
been blocked by the government, and 3000 other stations have 
reportedly been warned to heed the behaviour of these three 
broadcasters.

?These actions by the current Thai government show an utter disregard 
for press freedom, and if the country is to have a democratic future, 
they cannot continue on in this manner,? Warren said.

For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific +61 2 9333 0919

The IFJ represents over 500,000 journalists in more than 115 countries

http://zlgr.multiply.com (raidio monitoring site plus audio clips )
http://www.worldisround.com/articles/302315/ (Litohoro) 321199/Tinos 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/zachgr    pictures upload 
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on my main : www.geocities.com/zliangas 
-tty-px.html : test of various TTY programs
-ethics.htm    : greek ethics , days and institutions 
-frape.htm: the greek way of cofee !!! 
Zacharias Liangas , Thessaloniki Greece 
greekdx @ otenet dot gr  ---  
Pesawat penerima: ICOM R75 , Lowe HF150 , Degen 1102,1103,108,
Tecsun PL200/550, Chibo c300/c979, Yupi 7000 
Antenna: 16m hor, 2x16 m V invert, 1m australian loop 



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