Thai protestors slashed for threatening media

Three Thai media organizations on Sunday accused anti-government protestors of threatening news groups. Led by former Democrat MP Suthep Thaugsuban, protestors ordered TV stations to report their activities only, rather than government announcements, said a statement issued by the Thai Journalists Association, the Broadcast Journalists Association and the News Broadcasting Council of Thailand. This move interfered with the freedom of the media and ran counter to democracy, said the statement. These organizations required protestors to drop all means of threat and intimidation. The statement also urged state-run TV stations to comprehensively report all situation, especially those with significant social influence. Earlier on Sunday, protestors in multiple processions laid siege to several TV stations. In a televised address Sunday afternoon, Suthep Thaugsuban called on all TV stations to stop airing reports on the government and only cover news about the anti-government rally.