Media Reform in Thailand
The development of Thailand's media order is currently shaped by an intense reform process and at the same time by the ubiquitous convergence phenomenon. Thai commentators are raising questions about the regulation of contents, especially regarding the lèse-majèste law, supposed to be the strictest worldwide, but also e.g. concerning the allocation of broadcasting frequencies or how to deal with thousands of yet unlicensed community radio stations.
On the invitation and with the support of the National Telecommunications Commission, the Hans Bredow Institute is committing its expertise in media law to enhance the widespread debate on media politics. This means that the Institute is cooperating with the two major universities in Bangkok (Chulalongkorn and Thammasat), among others, as well as with the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Thailand. Conferences and workshops are also planned to provide systematic working papers in the future. Fundamental questions of media structuring have been discussed and complemented with insights from German experience with regulation.
Beyond this individual case, the Institute is exploiting the opportunity to further develop its experience in transferring expertise in an international context and in comparative analyses of regulatory structures.
Lectures
"The Role of the Media in the German Election Process", lecture by W. Schulz and S. Heilmann at the seminar "The Role of Media in Election Campaigns", organised by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) and the Office of the Election Commission of Thailand (ECT) in Bangkok on 23 November 2009.
"Regulation and Licensing: Insights from Overseas Experience for Thai Community Radio", presentation by W. Schulz and S. Heilmann at the seminar "Creating an enabling regulatory framework for community radio" at the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) in Bangkok on 20 November 2009.
"What is the Role of Public Service Broadcasting?", presentation by W. Schulz at an event mounted by the Thai Public Service Broadcasting (TPBS) in Bangkok on 29 May 2009.
"Media and Democracy in Crisis: What Roles and Responsibilities for the Thai Media?", presentation by W. Schulz at a joint conference of the Commission on Human Rights, Rights and Liberties Consumer Protection, The Senate, Thai Broadcast Journalists Association, and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Thailand in Bangkok on 28 May 2009.
"The Role of Media in Supporting Civic Education: A Thai-German Experience Exchange", lecture by W. Schulz at the Political Development Council of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in Bangkok on 27 May 2009.
"Regulation Policies in a Converging Media Environment – the German Example", presentation by W. Schulz and S. Heilmann at the seminar "Convergent Media and Broadcast Policy: Case Studies of Germany and
"Comment to a Study Conducted by FES Thailand and Further Recommendations" at the workshop "Media Reform in the Current Political Situation" of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in Bangkok on 14 August 2008.
Contact person
Hans-Bredow-Institut
Heimhuder Straße 21
D - 20148 Hamburg
Tel. +49 (0)40 45 02 17 - 0
Fax +49 (0)40 45 02 17 - 77