by Weena Kowitwanij

Prasopsuk Boondej calls on the media to protect children from "materialism" and "imitation of false models." In October, Thailand hosted the World Signis Congress 2009. The commitment of Catholic media a "good thing" for the growth of society and the country.

Bangkok (AsiaNews) - The media should help in "building a culture of peace" and protect the quality of life and rights of children, often victims of violations and abuses, from "birth". This was the message of Prasopsuk Boondej, President of the Thai Senate, in an interview with the Catholic weekly Udomsarn.

From October 17 to 21 in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, the World Signis Congress 2009 was held. "Media for a Culture of Peace: the rights of children, the promise of tomorrow" was the theme around which the association that brings together Catholics in the media world focused its work. And it is the "responsibility" of the media towards the "society" and "minors" that the chairman of the Senate has focused his attention.    

"Building a culture of peace through the media is a very important factor," says Prasopsuk Boondej, because they "have a great influence" on public opinion and sometimes "can cause enormous damage." Prasopsuk Boondej points the finger at the media’s  bombardment of messages and news when there are sex scandals or violence. This danger increases when it involves children, because "they can not analyze information in depth, [to see] if it is true or false."

Commenting on the summit organized by the Catholic media, he stresses that it is "a positive element" in the direction of "protecting and safeguarding" the rights of children. Thai society, the children themselves, are bombarded with messages, values, ideas from around the world. "Globalization" has made young people "smarter and more intelligent" than in the past but at the same time, it exposes them to dangers such as "materialism and imitation of false models". For this Prasopsuk Boondej is calling on the political class, civil society and households to protect "the physical and mental development" of children and minors and to "share their ideas and opinions" for a more mature and aware growth.  

A warning that takes on particular significance in Thailand, the crossroads of international trafficking of children and a sex tourism destination. Recent estimates indicate that about 800 thousand children are victims of the prostitution market in the country.

• thailand
• media
• signis
• children
• safeguard
• protection
• society
• development
• human
• trafficking
• sex
• trade