Thai Prime Minister “buzzes” the media

The Prime Minister of Thailand has been criticized for his recent press conference in which he used buzzers and game show signs to rate questions from reporters.

Whenever Thaksin Shinawatra recieved a question he did not like, he raised a sign with a blue X on it and sounded a buzzer. He also obtained a sign with a red circle on it for questions he would respond to. On his weekly radio program, Thaksin talked about the inaugural “meet the press” conference.

I bought those signs from a Japanese game show in order to reduce pressure during the first press conference and make fun, but the media, columnists and press associations are not in the mood for fun and considered that it was inappropriate.

Shinawatra has a history of conflicts with the media after his 2001 election, including firing 21 journalists working at a television station he owned for unfavorably covering him during the election.

(photo courtesy AFP)
(source article)