Bangkok: Ms. Supamas Isarabhakdi, Minister attached to the Prime Minister's Office and Chairperson of the Safe and Creative Media Development Fund, expressed concerns about the increasing number of Thais falling victim to online threats. She has ordered a comprehensive reform of the media fund, outlining five major priorities to ensure safe and creative media access for the public.
According to Thai News Agency, Ms. Supamas laid out these priorities during a workshop held at the Queensland Hotel in Bangkok. The event, attended by various stakeholders, focused on developing the operational and financial plans for fiscal year 2027. This year marks the final phase of the Fund's strategic plan, offering a chance to review outcomes and set future directions.
The government's five policy priorities for the media fund include shifting from a funding role to a co-creator role, integrating with local agencies to foster local content creators, establishing a joint code of conduct, creating safe learning spaces through online activities, and advocating for legal improvements to support creative works. These measures aim to foster a media environment where the public, including children and youth, can use media wisely and safely.
'These five goals represent a shared responsibility for all parties to create a creative and safe space where children, youth, and the general public can access, understand, and use media wisely and equally. I am ready to push and fully support this to ensure that the 2027 plan is implemented in practice and yields sustainable results for the country,' Ms. Supamas emphasized, urging the fund to adopt more flexible criteria for grant applications to encourage high-quality media production.
The Safe and Creative Media Development Fund plays a key role in promoting high-quality, creative, and safe media in Thailand. It provides funding opportunities to various sectors to produce creative media, aiming to offer better choices for society. The fund also supports media literacy, helping people critically analyze and select media to avoid unsafe content.
Ms. Supamas, drawing from her experience as a mother, highlighted the vulnerability of children, youth, and the elderly to online scams and misinformation. She stressed the importance of fostering an understanding of constructive media consumption and creating safe learning environments to protect the public from online dangers.
For more information and updates on the Safe and Creative Media Development Fund, the public can visit their official website or follow their Facebook page.