IFJ Condemns Murder of Journalist in Thailand

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is alarmed that another journalist has been murdered in Thailand, the second such case within two months.

 

Jaruek Rangcharoen, a reporter for the Thai daily Matichon, was shot dead in Suphanburi province in central Thailand on September 27, according to the Thai Journalists' Association (TJA).

 

Jaruek had reported on alleged corruption within the local administrative organisation, and had expressed concerns about his safety, according to local reports.

 

Another Matichon reporter, Athiwat Chaiyanurat, was shot dead in Nakorn Sri Thammarat province, in southern Thailand, on August 1. Athiwat had also reported on allegations of corruption within the local administration, as well as reporting on a police search for a killer that reportedly angered a senior civil servant. The TJA says police have made no progress in the investigation of Athiwat's murder.

 

"The IFJ demands authorities in Thailand at the national and provincial level take urgent and concerted action to investigate the murders of Jaruek Rangcharoen and Athiwat Chaiyanurat and to bring the killers to justice," IFJ-Asia Pacific said.

"These targeted murders are an abhorrent effort to silence journalists who dare to report truthfully and to keep their communities informed. It is essential that protective measures be put in place to ensure Thailand's media workers are able to do their jobs without fear of extreme retribution for the content of their work."

 

For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +612 9333 0919

 

The IFJ represents over 600,000 in 122 countries worldwide