Resident Coordinator's Remarks at the Training of Security Forces on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists

Assoc. Prof. Pol. Lt. Gen. Thatchai Pitaneelaboot (Ph.D.), Commissioner of the Royal Police Cadet Academy,

Shigeru Aoyagi, Regional Director of the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Regional Bureau for Education in Bangkok,

Distinguished officers from the Royal Thai Police and Royal Police Cadet Academy, friends, and colleagues,

Welcome to this important training for the Police and Cadet Academy, which will equip you with practical guidance and tools for working with the news media and supporting freedom of expression and the safety of journalists.

The UN deeply values our partnership with the Royal Thai Police, as the frontline defenders of the rule of law.

This duty includes keeping the public informed and working closely with the news media to provide timely and accurate updates that are essential for our everyday lives.

In the daily news cycle, newsrooms regularly depend on Police bulletins and briefings as part of their reporting. For both Police and journalists, better understanding how each other works – and how to work together – improves professionalism and contributes to the public good.

The workshop starting today follows UNESCO’s training last month for prosecutors on the investigation and prosecution of crimes against journalists and the protection of freedom of expression, as part of the UN’s broader support for the justice system and rule of law.

Police have a demanding and complex job. This training will show how prioritizing engagement with media from a facts-based approach will support the Police force as a whole to uphold human rights, strengthen the rule of law and fulfil your duties effectively.

Just as law enforcement provides a vital public good, so too does the free and pluralistic media. Journalism has an irreplaceable role in keeping people informed and enabling us all to participate actively in civic life.

We see this in every aspect of everyday life. Throughout the pandemic, people’s ability to freely access reliable information has literally saved lives, clearly showing the critical service that journalists provide for a healthy society.

As we enter an election year, free and pluralistic media are essential for citizens to understand the electoral platforms of all candidates and what those positions mean for the country.

In the digital age, your job as Police is even more complex requiring digital literacy to address misinformation and so-called “fake news”, while protecting legitimate expression and freedom of the press.

In support of Thailand’s national development, the UN works closely with our full range of partners to invest in civil society and inclusive decision-making, which relies upon independent and pluralistic journalism.

Everyone here today has an important role supporting Thailand to: back the work of journalists, content producers and human rights defenders; support an environment that protects them and their work; and strive for accountability before the law.

Training on freedom of expression strengthens Police credibility with the public, enabling you to maintain neutrality when enforcing the law and building trust and cooperation from all sides,including reporters.

For Thai journalists, one perceived issue is to establish clear standards on use of force and rules of engagement. They also ask for communications channels with Police that can enhance mutual understanding, especially in difficult circumstances. 

During the training in the upcoming days, there are very practical lessons about how Police and the media can work together, minimize conflict and jointly achieve the highest standards of professionalism.

In conclusion, I want to commend UNESCO, the Police Academy and all of our partners for this important Thai-language training and broader efforts to strengthen the justice system.

The UN looks forward to deepening our partnership with the Royal Thai Police and Royal Police Cadet Academy, supporting police officers working with the media, and establishing professional working relationships that protect journalists in their everyday work.

Thank you.