Reference: No free press and no democratic government, Bangkok Post, May 9, 2008

The principle of the freedom of the press does not in any way require the government to coddle the press but only to allow it to function to the extent that it can and when that extent is not sufficient the finger of blame must be pointed in the other direction. This government has not abused the use of defamation lawsuits nor has it abused its authority to silence media critics. The government's only fault appears to be that it has a Prime Minister who can out-debate the media. That talent is not a crime against press freedoms. It is part of that process.

Cha-am Jamal
Thailand