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A media regulation workshop with Thai broadcasters was reshuffled at the last moment after an outcry over the live television coverage of a suicide. 

Chris Banatvala had been asked by the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission of Thailand, NBTC, to devise a day-long workshop for broadcasters on impartiality, as part of an ongoing training and consultancy programme delivered to them by Thomson Foundation over the last four years.

“It was the first time I had been asked to work directly with the Thai broadcasters,” said Chris. “The coverage of the suicide lasted hours and raised all sorts of issues, particularly around privacy and public interest. A man, with a gun to his head, stood in the full glare of the cameras as his mother pleaded with him.

“I quickly rejigged the workshop so we could discuss it.”

Chris’s work with the NBTC focuses on the balance between freedom of expression and regulation and has sought to explore best practice with their officers. The Thais have been especially interested in exploring issues around impartiality and privacy – which has been particularly challenging since the 2014 military coup where practising freedom of expression has been restricted.

The coverage of the suicide lasted hours and raised all sorts of issues, particularly around privacy and public interest.

“It’s in crime reporting where the Thai media has much more freedom and they push the boundaries. Some of their coverage could be seen as sensationalism,” said Chris.

“Through Western eyes the suicide coverage was quite shocking, but it did give me the opportunity to explore a recent and challenging issue with the broadcasters.”

About the trainer

Chris Banatvala is an independent media consultant specialising in broadcast regulation and media policy. He has had over 20 years’ experience in the broadcast industry and now works with clients like major UK broadcasters, international governments and regulators. Chris was the founding director of Standards and content board member at Ofcom.

Live suicide coverage

Dr Wanchai Danaitamonut, 60, who was a lecturer at Phranakhon Rajabhat University, shot himself after hours of attempted negotiations to get him to put down his weapon. Some 43,000 people watched the tense standoff on Facebook Live.