Guidelines for the Promotion and Co-regulation of Media Operation and Presentation on Sensitive Issues related to Gender Diversity

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the support guidelines for regulating media operations and reporting on sensitive LGBTIQ+ issues in Thailand. This research was qualitatively conducted using in-depth and focus-group interviews. Forty-five research participants included television industries experts, LGBTIQ+ key informants, lawyers, journalists, television program producers, psychologists, and LGBTIQ+-content audience representatives. Fifteen participants for in-depth interviews were recruited through a purposive sampling method, and thirty participants for focus-group interviews were recruited using a snowball sampling method. The research tools were semi-structured interview and focus-group interview questions. The data were analyzed inductively.
The study revealed two main findings. First, in reporting LGBTIQ+ content, knowledge and understanding of gender should be earlier addressed, and LGBTIQ+ issues should be presented normally and appropriately for social contexts through appropriate, bias-free style so that audiences perceive LGBTIQ+ content positively as role models with capacity, rather than LGBTIQ+ with negative image. Also, content and language used for LGBTIQ+ should create empathy. Media entrepreneurs should consider their roles and ethics, reporting the content creatively rather than taking advantage of LGBTIQ+ content.
Second, the regulatory guidelines for LGBTIQ+ content should apply the same rules used in general content, where human rights, equality, respect, support, not suppression, should be recognized. Media with self-regulation and regulatory guidelines should be provided for the same standard of practices.