Television Newsroom Culture in Thailand for Fact - Checking Disinformation

Abstract

            Disinformation (sometimes called fake news) has become normalized in the digital media age, to the point where it becomes challenging to issue accurate information to society at a comparable rate. With the burden placed on Thai consumers to be aware of disinformation, fact-checking acquires added significance for socially responsible journalists. This article studies the working culture of Thai television newsrooms, how news is made and what mechanisms check for disinformation. The goals are to 1) explore the process by which Thai news editors detect disinformation mechanisms; and 2) create a defense mechanism against disinformation in the media  ecosystem.

            Results were that television newsrooms in Thailand have a hierarchical newsmaking culture adhering to analog era editorial structure and production processes, with a director of news, deputy director of news,  executive editor, assistant editor, producer, editor, and reporter. Yet there is no fact checker to discern real news from disinformation. News editors   assert that fact-checking is primarily a reporter's duty, and all editorial office staff, including editors, assistant editors, and news rewriters, are expected to verify items before they are presented to the public. In addition, no television newsroom in Thailand has a defined policy to debunk            disinformation. In cases when a major incident affects many viewers, the public will be duly informed that it is a matter of disinformation.