Inauthentic Truth in Institutional Media Which Presents Non-Fictional Contents

Abstract

           It is the important role of institutional media to present fact to public in the context for non-fictional contents. However, some institutional media do not present inauthentic truth in news, documentaries, non-fictional programmes, interviews, etc. which are non-fictional contents. Contradictorily, contents mixed with false, with no background of the incidents, not well-rounded, and not honest are presented with bias or hidden conflict of interest. This article is developed based on research titled Management of Institutional Media on Inauthentic Truth’s Presentation for Non-Fictional Contents aiming at studying the inauthentic truth’s presentation and its management approaches. The study also explores the factors contributing to the management of editorial department on the inauthentic truth’s presentation and provides the recommendations.
            The interview was conducted with 8 samplings who had experience in presenting Inauthentic Truth’s Presentation. The findings suggests that there are five types of the inauthentic truth’s presentation. (1) Content that sources did not provide fact. (2) Content on general updates of the film stars on the surface but actually the film stars intended to invent the content for other hidden purpose. (3) Content on food review but all negative comments were removed. (4) Content with passive advertisings but the editorial department did not inform the audience that it was actually advertisement space. (5) Media self-censorship.
             The study reveals that there are three approaches of management. (1) Challenging approach: Investigative journalism was used to expose government officials’ corruption. News was reported based on what really happened and not on remuneration from sources. Reasons for the reporters to use this approach included having a viewpoint to reveal the truth to public; having experiences and skills with investigative reporting; and receiving supports from the editorial department, public and independent agencies in charge of checking state’s accountabilities. These factors contributed to a progress in news reporting. (2) Negotiating approach--for example, a reporter warned that news of a film star could have a hidden agenda or the reporters did not report on a demonstration on a modernisation of the monarchy but pasted a link of demonstrators’ proposals for the readers instead. This approached was used because there was a huge public interest on these film stars. In order to keep the news agency’s rating, the reporters were in a hurry to release the news without verification.  The Section 112 of Thailand's Criminal Code made the media to do self-censorship. (3) Passive approach--for example, the sales department removed negative comments on food review from the reporter’s articles, or the editorial department presented passive advertisings without declaring that it was actually advertising space. Factor for media agencies to choose this approach because a business model providing free food taste to the reporters prevented them to give any negative reviews or the media agencies wanted to earn incomes from passive advertisings.
            Recommendations are: (1) The editorial department should establish a proper policy and should separate the editorial department and sales department independently. (2) Media Council should gain credibility from self-control among the members. (3) Journalism schools should teach students on media’s codes and conducts and build awareness on media literacy for public. (4) People should receive news from various sources and are aware of media literacy. (5) Government agencies should disclose public information to the citizen in line with the laws to promote democratic environment and to use authorised power to regulate passive advertising to protect consumers’ rights.