VOA慢速英语2014 泰国军事统治下的媒体压力大

 

AS IT IS 2014-09-13 Thailand Media Pressured Under Military Rule 泰国军事统治下的媒体压力大

The Thai military moved quickly after the ouster of the civilian¹ government. The military ordered news industry officials and editors to attend meetings, setting out rules for news and reporting.

Pichai Chuensuksawadi is editor-in-chief of the English language Bangkok Post newspaper. He attended the meetings with military officials. He says the military’s goals are very clear: to closely examine television and radio news broadcasts.

"Under previous governments the way they put on pressure is different. But here it's clear. They are willing to listen to a certain extent and make changes in the announcement. The fact I think for television, for radio, for satellite they are under the gun more than print media that's for sure. But I think it's a lot clearer. The agenda is clearer."

In July, Thailand’s National Council for Peace and Order attempted to bar any criticism of military leaders. The council also announced plans to punish publications and websites that published offensive material. However, media groups successfully resisted the measures, and the military backed down.

But restrictions² remain. For example, TV talk shows are barred from speaking with college or university teachers, political observers and former government officials. Only foreign media are reporting the comments of Thai political dissidents and critics of the military who have fled overseas.

Phil Robertson is with the New York-based Human Rights Watch. He says the bans on news reports send a clear message to the Thai media.

"Well, I think there's a deepening repression³ of critical media bringing out points of view that the military junta⁴ disagree with. You know, what we're seeing is increased banning of reports, blocking of websites, issued warning to media both print and electronic media not to step across a line that only the military junta really knows where that line is."

Thai media organizations have a long history of fighting for press freedom. Thailand became a constitutional monarchy⁵ in 1932. It set up a democratic form of government, with a non-political head of state. Since then, Thailand has faced 12 attempts to overthrow⁶ the government and long periods of military rule. In the past, military leaders closed all newspapers. In the 1990s, many newspapers refused to obey official restrictions on the media.

Thai critics say the current restrictions are more direct. They praised the National Council for Peace and Order for changing its position on bans. They say this has led news organizations to set their own restrictions to prevent the military from taking firmer control.

Supinya Klangnarong is a media rights activist⁷ and a member of the National Broadcasting Commission. She says the media are fearful over the future.

"A climate of fear is spreading at the national level and also the organizational level because of the coup⁸ and the martial⁹ law and all the criminalization of acts, especially up to the official, even at the NBTC - public figures - especially the officials are more sensitive - they could not tolerate criticism."

Critics once called Thailand one of the freest societies in Southeast Asia. But the organization Reporters Without Borders rates Thailand at 130 out of 180 countries in a report on media freedom in 2014.  

Pichai Chuensuksawadi says the military leaders are willing to listen to media concerns.  But he adds the military will also have no problem taking action if it does not like the media's message.

1 civilian   

adj.平民的，民用的，民众的

参考例句：

• There is no reliable information about civilian casualties.关于平民的伤亡还没有确凿的信息。
• He resigned his commission to take up a civilian job.他辞去军职而从事平民工作。

2 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

3 repression   

n.镇压，抑制，抑压

参考例句：

• The repression of your true feelings is harmful to your health.压抑你的真实感情有害健康。
• This touched off a new storm against violent repression.这引起了反对暴力镇压的新风暴。

4 junta   

n.团体；政务审议会

参考例句：

• The junta reacted violently to the perceived threat to its authority.军政府感到自身权力受威胁而进行了激烈反击。
• A military junta took control of the country.一个军政权控制了国家。

5 monarchy   

n.君主，最高统治者；君主政体，君主国

参考例句：

• The monarchy in England plays an important role in British culture.英格兰的君主政体在英国文化中起重要作用。
• The power of the monarchy in Britain today is more symbolical than real.今日英国君主的权力多为象徵性的，无甚实际意义。

6 overthrow   

v.推翻，打倒，颠覆；n.推翻，瓦解，颠覆

参考例句：

• After the overthrow of the government,the country was in chaos.政府被推翻后，这个国家处于混乱中。
• The overthrow of his plans left him much discouraged.他的计划的失败使得他很气馁。

7 activist   

n.活动分子，积极分子

参考例句：

• He's been a trade union activist for many years.多年来他一直是工会的积极分子。
• He is a social activist in our factory.他是我厂的社会活动积极分子。

8 coup   

n.政变；突然而成功的行动

参考例句：

• The monarch was ousted by a military coup.那君主被军事政变者废黜了。
• That government was overthrown in a military coup three years ago.那个政府在3年前的军事政变中被推翻。

9 martial   

adj.战争的，军事的，尚武的，威武的

参考例句：

• The sound of martial music is always inspiring.军乐声总是鼓舞人心的。
• The officer was convicted of desertion at a court martial.这名军官在军事法庭上被判犯了擅离职守罪。