Tired of internet censorship in Thailand, a group of individuals known as Freedom Against Censorship Thailand (Fact) have formed an alliance that stands up for freedom of speech. The group consists of academics, journalists, publishers, businessmen and people from various different backgrounds.

Fact highlights its concerns in a recently issued press release:

“Since 2002 when Internet censorship was initiated by the Thai government, more than 35,000 websites have been blocked. The Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (MICT) blocks 2,500 websites; the Royal Thai Police, 32,500; and the Communications Authority of Thailand (Cat) an unspecified further number.”

In a similar manner to those who are campaigning for a return to the 1997 Constitution, Fact is a group of people who are supporting an ideal in Thailand that is often taken for granted. Not everybody is happy with restrictions on freedom of expression.

The press release continues:

“The Thai Government conceals a hidden agenda by targeting pornographic websites, the majority of those blocked. At least 11% of websites blocked are critical of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, his Thai Rak Thai (TRT) party, government handling of the violence in southern Thailand and the September 19 coup d'etat.”

This is, of course, nothing new (although where a figure of 11% comes from is undisclosed). It’s not a revelation, but it is interesting to see that some people are prepared to stand up for their rights.

Fact are very critical of the current government:

“The blocking of websites or, in fact, any government censorship of freedom of expression, is most often used by an insecure government in a feeble attempt at control of its citizens. Usually the censorship is directed against views government deems unconventional or unorthodox, if not an outright threat to power, as in Burma or China or North Korea or, in fact, in the USA using its Patriot Act. Thailand is not Burma or China or North Korea (yet). Perhaps Aung San Suu Kyi said it best: ‘We have nothing to fear but fear itself.’”

Waves of discontent such as this often pass without much incident. Blocking internet sites is an impractical and ineffective way of limiting peoples’ access to information. Anyone in Thailand with an online connection can access any website of any kind, regardless of government initiatives. There are ways around the censors, including the use proxy servers.

One idea that Fact puts across is that it “estimate[s] that at least 40% of Thai graduate students will be unable to complete thorough, effective theses or dissertations due to blocked websites.”

I’m not sure where this 40% comes from or how valid it is, but the idea that censorship affects education is not something I had previously considered.

There will be a press conference on Wednesday November 15 at 1.30 p.m. in the October 14 Memorial Hall, Ratchadamnoen. At 5 p.m. on the same day, in the National Human Rights Commission, Anti-Money Laundering Office Buildingg (opposite Siam Discovery Centre), there will be a petition open for the general public to sign. The petition is asking for a complete ban on internet censorship. It’s a commendable ideal but in the present climate it remains to be seen how much of an impact it will have.

Techno’ tags: Government, Coup, Freedom of Speech, Internet Censorship , Bangkok, Thailand