![]() Friday, January 19, 2007
Setting the record straight ...
Well the reaction to the Thaksin Shinawatra interview and my blog here on CNN.com has been pretty strong. I’d say you’re split 50-50 down the middle. Some of you hate me and think I failed in my job as a journalist, failed to ask the right questions, or simply should never have interviewed Thaksin in the first place. The other half of you seemly genuinely pleased and grateful. In the full interview I repeatedly challenge Thaksin on the allegations of corruption, asking for example:
After having seen the clip on the website, I have to say I'm not surprised that the clip of the interview was censored. You did come off in the clip like one of the earnest, swooning admirers of Thaksin rather than a professional journalist. Not your fault; blame the editors.
I think you, CNN, and all concerned would have been better served if the whole interview had been aired straight away or if some of the questions/answers re corruption allegations had been included to counterbalance the ex-PM's denials (we don't really need CNN to do interviews to get the scoop on the latter; we've become quite used to it in the last five years, not to mention the amazing U-turns that man can pull off). A lesson for the future, perhaps.
Well, unfortunately I'll have to follow the reaction and transcripts of the interview on the web, once CNN Latin American feed doesn't broadcast Talk Asia. I just wonder why. A good and exclusive interview (and also the regular guests of the show) can't be seen by CNN viewers in LA. Too sad.
Clearly, your blog has become very popular, particularly among Bangkokian Thais. I feel there is an appreciation of freedom to express, even among those who are kind of angry... and in denial, whether they realise it or not. (It's nice not to be blocked, isn't it?). We all know that there is no forum in the country to voice your opinions freely, and I guess 'unoppressed'... I think a journalist is successful when he or she presents an interesting piece of 'truth', that is not 'prescribed' or 'chosen for cooperation'. Talk Asia talked with many prominent Thais before, including K.Apisit, K.Anan, K. Patarawadee. Why not K.Thuksin? You have done a good job in introducing this piece. I hope to comment more later after I watch Talk Asia this weekend. Obviously Dan, your blog is 'thought-provoking'. By the way, Bangkok Post just ran an interview article of Christiane Amanpour... CNN's correspondent. Many people in the capital do know things...
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