Constitutional view on Press freedom.

(From Bangkok Post)

Byline: JADE DONAVANIK

In performing its duties, the Press needs to consider the principle of presenting issues by communicating facts. It is only in appropriate contexts that opinions should be given. In order to present facts in line with the truth and to provide logical opinions, unmistakable information must be had. During a recent Saturday talk, Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said the Press time and again had confused itself and the public on the use of three words, i.e., opinion, fact, and information.

That thought did not quite hit the point. The actuality is that the Press must bear in mind that facts come from correct information and opinions are not based on personal ideas, but on facts and correct information.

Notwithstanding, in many circumstances it is nearly impossible to obtain correct information or to present facts that match the truth, since "the truth" has never been disclosed or actually concealed.

When the reality is that unsympathetic, the Press, which works to reveal the truth of facts and to find correct information on public and private matters occurring domestically as well as internationally, bears a heavy …