CPJ calls on Thai PM to investigate killings of foreign journalists

International press freedom organisation the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has called on the Thai Prime Minister to investigate the killings of journalists covering violent clashes between the government and protestors in the country.

In an open letter to Abhisit Vejjajiva, CPJ director Joel Simon said the Thai parliament should set up a commission to ensure "an independent investigation into recent attacks on the press".

"The inquiry should be made public, and, where appropriate, cases should be referred for legal prosecution. Another step would be to better guarantee the security of journalists in any future street conflicts between troops and protesters. Until then, your government's commitment to press freedom will be in doubt," he writes.

The letter references the deaths of freelance Italian photojournalist Fabio Polenghi in May and Reuters cameraman Hiro Muramoto in April, who were killed while covering clashes between the red-shirt anti-government protestors and the Thai military. It asks for CCTV footage of events in the build-up to Muramoto's death be released to diplomats, investigators and journalists and for an independent probe into Polenghi's death.

Seven other foreign and local journalists were shot or injured by grenade shrapnel during the violence, the CPJ says. Foreign journalists injured included Dutch freelancer Michael Maas; the Independent's Andrew Buncombe, and freelance Canadian writer and photographer, Chandler Vandergrift.

But the letter draws attention to the plight of Thailand's domestic media during the violence, as according to the committee Somyot Prueksakasemsuk, editor of the red shirts' title Red News, has been detained without charge since 24 May and the government has ordered the closure of independent news website Prachatai.

"This is a short list of a much wider range of press freedom violations that occurred during the recent political unrest in Thailand. While the media was allowed unfettered access to security force operations aimed at suppressing the UDD, your government has also censored and shut down various Thai media outlets in the name of national security," says the letter.

Free daily newsletter

If you like our news and feature articles, you can sign up to receive our free daily (Mon-Fri) email newsletter (mobile friendly).