Embattled TV anchor Sorrayuth Suthassanachinda and Channel 3 keep on pretending that nothing is amiss even though the National Anti-Corruption Commission decided after a four-year investigation to take criminal action against him for allegedly embezzling B138.79 million of MCOT advertising revenue in 2005-2006 and the Thai Journalists Association has decided that he violated journalist ethics even though his case has yet to be decided by the courts.
I agree with Securities and Exchange Commission secretary-general Vorapol Socatiyanurak that "ethics is critical for anyone within the media, given its influence within society" and that listed companies and other capital market players should exercise caution in doing business with Sorrayuth.
I join Voravan Tarapoom, president of BBL Asset Management, in praising the SEC's action as a bold statement in line with its position as a leading organisation within the capital market, and her noting that ending corruption depends on the cooperation of all parties.
I suggest that to gain the reasoned cooperation of all parties in acting deliberately and with well-thought-out moves, associations and societies, especially those in law and political science, can help us fight corruption in general and decide what to do in this case in particular by debating the issue.
Rather than many sponsors and viewers of Sorrayuth's show pretending that the elephant in the room doesn't exist, we should debate whether Sorrayuth should temporarily step down until his case has been decided in court. These debates, broadcast live, will stimulate public awareness of and involvement in this crucial issue of corruption, with the agreed-upon ground rule that each side will seek to shed light, not heat, on the issue.
On the one hand, those against the motion could point out that prosecutors are still deliberating on whether to accept the case against Sorrayuth, and the principle that the accused are innocent until proven guilty must hold. But on the other hand, taking precautionary action to limit possible damage is not only legal but also common.
For example, courts routinely refuse to grant bail, Nike and many other advertisers terminated contracts with Lance Armstrong when they became convinced beyond reasonable doubt that he was the centre of a doping ring in his legendary cycling team, and Pennsylvania State University fired its president Graham Spanier for allegedly covering up defensive coordinator Sandusky's sexual abuse of 10 boys even though Spanier's trial is not over, based on a review of evidence uncovered by an investigation team commissioned by Penn State and led by ex-FBI director Freeh and other materials.
Let's learn from the case of Sorrayuth, so that we may all join in fighting this scourge of corruption.
Burin Kantabutra
Bangkok
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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2012/11/05/sec-right-to-urge-caution-over-sorrayuth/
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