IN-HOUSE MEDIA ombudsmen were officially introduced for the first time yesterday by the National Press Council of Thailand (NPCT) to improve effective self-regulation of the industry.

The move came as the state has attempted to introduce a new media regulation bill that media groups oppose, citing possible state interference and infringements on press freedom.

The ombudsman body is primarily aimed at expediting the process to handle complaints, which would allow outsiders to influence decisions regarding the media’s performance.

In an introductory press conference yesterday, NPCT president Chavarong Limpattamapanee said each ombudsman committee established within media outlets would include media owners, editors and journalists, but also outside experts in the media, legal and consumer-protection fields.

Each committee with three to seven members will act as a direct point of contact for public complaints or questions about the press and online media. Panels would have 30 days to consider and proceed on the complaints, Chavarong said.

While the presence of journalists on the committees would help ensure that consumers are in direct touch with the media, outside experts will help give legitimacy to the ombudsman’s performance and ensure that decisions are not heavily biased towards the media.

“The NPCT is normally responsible for the complaint-handling process. Still, this usually requires some amount of time to proceed with concerned media outlets,” the president said. “These media ombudsman committees will help speed up the process to as quick as 30 days.”

Consumer complainants, if dissatisfied with the ombudsman’s decision, could also contact the NPCT for further consideration, he said.

Apart from the ombudsmen of six major media outlets, a similar body would also be established at a regional level, covering all local press and online media in Thailand, he added.

The press conference was held after a meeting between key media figures and members of local media outlets who will start acting as regional ombudsmen immediately.

Confederation of Thai Journalists president Thepchai Yong said the ombudsman body would mark a milestone for media self-regulation amid public concerns about media ethics and codes of conduct.

“Society will give us a judgement and they should be the loudest voice on media regulation,” Thepchai said.

Thairath’s ombudsman Manit Suksomjit added that the body would prove that media outlets were capable of looking after themselves without the need for state involvement.

“Their [government’s] part would only infiltrate [influence] into media affairs,” he said.