Government uses state of emergency to escalate censorship

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    Date: 
    8 April 2010

    The Thai government has censored dozens of websites and a TV station under article 9 of yesterday’s state of emergency, which forbids the “dissemination of information liable to disturb public order.” Most of the media affected are linked to the opposition “Red Shirts” movement but some, such as the website Prachatai, are independent.

    “We firmly condemn any use of news media to call for violence, but it is deplorable that the authorities are using the state of emergency to censor neutral or opposition news outlets,” Reporters Without Borders said. “We urge Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to order the restoration of the censored websites without delay and to close news media only when calls for violence are verified and following standard legal procedures.”