An Analysis of Objectives, Justifcations and Methods of Censorship in Declarations, Orders and Regulations Related to the Covid-19 Pandemic Situation in Thailand

Abstract

        This is a qualitative research. The objectives of this research are to analyze objectives, justifications and methods of censorship in Thailand amidst the COVID-19 pandemic situation in Thailand. Hegemonic theory of media, specifically speaking, Louis Althusser’s concept of Ideological State Apparatuses (ISA) and Repressive State Apparatus (RSA), concepts of censorship and Peleg’ s concept of censorship and regime types are used for analyzing.

        As a document analysis, documents used as main sources of this research included declarations, orders, rules, procedures, regulations, laws, resolutions of meetings and resolutions of the cabinet’s meetings related to Covid-19 and issued amidst the Covid-19 Pandemic Situation in Thailand.

        The findings of this research are as follows: 1) the objectives of censorship included both macro-objective and micro-objective namely to maintain national security and to maintain morality; 2) justifications of censorship included public health, national security, rights of others, public order, fake news and morality: 3) methods of censorship include banning of individuals, restrictions on access to information, restrictions on freedom of assembly and association, closure of media outlets and self-censorship.

        The finding mentioned above manifests that public health is not a main justification in censorship amidst the COVID-19 pandemic situation. It can be noted that in the situation, some of the justifications and methods found in Thailand were justifications and methods used in authoritarian regime and totalitarian regime. Moreover, it can be concluded that declarations, orders and regulations manifested using state apparatuses for ideological purposes.