Panel to tackle media sex abuse claims

The Thai Journalists Association (TJA) has revealed the names of members of a factfinding panel to probe a case of alleged sexual abuse in a media organisation.

Over the past few weeks, allegations have emerged online that an executive of a news agency had sexually harassed a female subordinate.

A group of field journalists submitted an open letter along with their names to the TJA, urging the association to set up the panel to see whether there were grounds to the allegation.

The matter has caused widespread public outrage, casting the ethical and moral standards and the credibility of all media professionals in a negative light.

“The panel will be open to receive information and evidence from the outsiders for at least 30 days and then unearth the truth within the TJA’s authority and responsibility. The panel might submit its recommendation to the TJA but must keep the information of the people involved strictly confidential, especially those who might be unfairly affected,” the statement said.

“There will be no announcement or media interview before the fact-finding process is concluded,” the statement said. The initial time frame is 90 days.

The six members of the panel are secretary-general of Transparency Thailand Juree Vichit-Vadakan; legal expert Jade Donavanik; former director of Media Monitor Uajit Virojtrairatt; activist against violence against women at the National Human Rights Commission Supensri Pungkhoksung; Somdet Chaopraya Institute of Psychiatry psychiatrist Nakorn Srisukho; and Lawyers’ Council vice-president Tasnai Chaikwang.

Representatives from the TJA are vicepresident and secretary-general Mongkol Bangprapa and TJA board member Sumonchaya Chuengcharoensil who is working as the panel’s secretary, the statement said.

Sumeth Somkanae, a TJA committee member and president of the National Union of Journalists, earlier addressed the issue of sexual harassment in media organisations and urged media employees who have experienced sexual harassment to tell him their stories.

He also called on the Isra News Agency and Thai Press Development Foundation, to help investigate and expose the issue.

The TJA issued statements without giving names of the accused or the victim.