Distorted, unrest inciting news reports banned under Thailand's martial law

BANGKOK, May 20 (TNA) - The Peace and Order Maintaining Command (POMC), set up under Thailand's martial law and headed by Army Chief General Prayuth Chan-ocha, has banned all broadcast and online media operators from presenting, distributing and selling news reports which affect the POMC's mission on maintaining peace and order in the country, namely those distorted or instigating unrest and divisiveness among the Thai people. The POMC has also "sought cooperation" from at least 10 satellite and cable television channels, aligned with either anti or pro-government groups including Bluesky, AsiaUpdate, ASTV, DNN, FMTV and Tnews, to suspend broadcasting. The POMC said in its third statement, issued after General Prayuth declared the enforcement of martial law nationwide on early Tuesday morning, that the ban, imposed on all radio and community radio stations, television, satellite and cable television channels and even online media, is aimed to provide people of all groups with proper information, without any distortion, which could, otherwise, cause public fear and misunderstanding and escalate domestic political strife. Meanwhile, foreign diplomats and representatives of international organisations in Thailand have been invited for a briefing on the imposition of the martial law at the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bangkok on Tuesday evening, at 6pm. The top management of government agencies and state enterprises, as well as governors of all Thai provinces and representatives of independent organisations and civil society groups were also attending a meeting, held at the Thai Army Club in the capital, on Tuesday afternoon, as ordered by the army cum POMC chief. The pro-government red-clad United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD), in the meantime, urged the army cum POMC chief to push for a quick general election within the democratic framework.(TNA)