Chickens come to roost for Isra
The Isra News Agency has earned its reputation as the epitome of investigative journalism by relentlessly digging into some of the most controversial episodes in highlevel politics. But this has also earned it some formidable enemies.
By design, the news agency, functioning under the umbrella of the Thai Journalists Association (TJA), is a loud whistle blower. At the same time, it must tread cautiously as its every move is watched by people who do not see Isra as a friend.
A recent rumour has swirled which puts Isra’s reputation and its ethical and moral integrity to the test.
An article has done the rounds on social media suggesting a “big name” in journalist circles, who is also a core member of Isra, may have sexually harassed a young woman at the news agency.
Although no damaged party has filed a complaint either with Isra or the TJA, the article has set many tongues wagging and unleashed a flurry of discussions and comments.
Some members of the TJA and a group of reporters have written to the association demanding it find facts and probe the matter, which they strongly feel could jeopardise the journalistic profession and give media practitioners a bad name.
Some see an attempt to discredit the new agency.
But critics warn the TJA probe into the sexual harassment claim should be allowed to run its course before conclusions are drawn and conspiracy theories given credence. The underlying query is: Was the alleged harassment true?
A source close to Isra said the “core member” and the news agency were virtually one and the same. Sinking the person would also, by this logic, bring down Isra.
The agency has previously run news pieces exposing irregularities and malpractices in high-profile cases involving government projects and senior officials.
It drew public attention in 2015 to the mandatory asset declaration by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s younger brother, Gen Preecha, who formerly served as the permanent secretary of defence.
This followed the agency’s revelation of a 600-million-baht sale of land belonging to the father of the Chan-o-cha brothers.
Isra also dug into the military-backed Rajabhakti Park project valued at 1 billion baht in Prachuap Khiri Khan last year.
A commission was allegedly demanded by a Buddhist amulet trader from foundries hired to cast the statues of former kings at the park.
The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) later declared the project to be free of corruption, nearly a year after it took flak that put Deputy Defence Minister Udomdej Sitabutr, who was in charge of the scheme, in the hot seat.
The news agency also turned on news anchor Sorrayuth Suthassanachinda after it presented reports about his alleged embezzlement of state advertising revenue. This led to a trial and Mr Sorrayuth is now defending himself in a last-ditch appeal at the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, an Isra reporter has been charged with trespassing for entering an apartment complex believed to belong to the wife of former national police chef Patcharawat Wongsuwon, the younger brother of Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon, on Aug 9.
The reporter went to Bangkok’s Chatuchak district hoping to interview Pol Gen Patcharawat’s wife as he was gathering information related to the former police chief’s declaration of assets probed by the NACC.