Profiles

Q&A with Thepchai Yong

Holding Those in Power Accountable

In nearly three decades as an award-winning investigative journalist, Thepchai Yong has withstood considerable pressure from Thailand’s military and political leadership to expose corruption and abuses of power. As Managing Director for Thailand’s first public broadcaster, Thai PBS, he is a leading force for independent reporting in the public interest. Thepchai will be honored at the Internews Media Leadership Awards in Washington, DC on June 2.

How and why did you become a journalist? What drew you to this field?

When I decided to become a journalist back in the late 1970s, Thailand was caught in the middle of a political transformation. Her fledging democracy was being threatened from all sides. I believed that journalism offered me the best opportunity to understand all the currents that were shaping the country’s politcal future. The Nation, Thailand’s leading English-language daily, was my first choice, basically because of its independent editorial stand and because of its influence among decision-makers.

You have exposed many cases of corruption and political scandal over the years. What is the secret to good investigative reporting?

Commitment to serving the public is most essential for investigative reporting. Besides its fundamental duty to report accurately and objectively, the media also have an important role in promoting good governance and transparency. Good investigative reporting is an important part of this role. In countries where there is a high level of corruption and abuse of power like Thailand, holding those in power accountable through investigative reporting is very crucial.

In your time at The Nation covering Thailand’s 1992 pro-democracy movement, you faced down considerable pressure from the military. Do you have any advice for other journalists who are facing intimidation and threats due to their reporting? 

In times of crisis, the role of the media is more crucial than under normal circumstances. In a crisis the public has far higher expections of the media.      

While most of the media chose to cave in to military pressure during the 1992 pro-democracy uprising, The Nation adhered to the basic principles of journalism by reporting the truth. And that’s exactly what independent media are expected to in critical times, regardless of the consequences.

How can Thailand’s media promote transparency and democracy? Can you give examples of coverage that has furthered this process?

By acting as an independent watchdog, the media can play a crucial role in promoting transparency and democracy. But in societies where the majority of people are largely uninformed and have to struggle with daily life, the media need to examine issues of transparency and democracy that are closer to them. While the media hold government and other major institutions accountable, they should not neglect the excesses and abuses at local levels.

As a public broadcaster, Thai PBS pays special attention to coverage and programs that encourage people at local levels to take part in the democratic process and to hold local officials and politicians accountable.  We have one weekly program that serves as a public forum for people from different walks of life to discuss issues of common interest, with a focus on promoting democracy and transparency.  

You have been deeply involved in reforming Thailand’s media laws. What are the major obstacles to a free and independent press in Thailand?

The biggest obstacle to reforming the Thai media is resistance from bureaucrats and interest groups. The problem is even more acute in the broadcast sector. These people have a virtually monopoly of the airwaves and have openly resisted any reform. Fears of free and independent media among politicians are one of the major obstacles impeding the media reform process. Of course, media practitioners also need to match freedom with more responsibility and to more strictly enforce code of ethics among themselves.

What is the unique role that public broadcasting plays in Thailand’s media landscape — how does it compare with commercial media, and why is it needed?

Public broadcasting service addresses issues that are crucial to the society but are generally ignored by commercial broadcasters. While commercial media place importance on rating and commercial returns, public broadcasting encourages journalism that focuses on issues that affect public interest and presents programs that educate and inform. For a country like Thailand where abuses and excesses by state officials and politicians are rampant and where social injustice is widespread, public broadcasting that is not influenced by political and business interests is needed to ensure transparency and accountability.  

What is your vision for the future of public broadcasting in Thailand?

I strongly believe that if the country’s first public broadcaster, Thai PBS, is able to play the role that is expected of public broadcasting – that is protecting public interests and promoting people’s participation in public life – it will make public broadcasting a relevant institution. In the long run, public broadcasting should also set an example for commercial media to follow in terms of journalistic professionalism.

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