History of Council of Mass Communication Scholars of Thailand (C.M.C.T.)
After the Bloody May, known as Phruetsapha Thamin, which was a crackdown on people from the government in 1992, there were efforts from the media organizations and the people to reform and unleash the dissemination of media content from the government in the previous era. The reformation led to the establishment of Thailand’s first independent television station (later called ITV).
In this regard, a group of mass communication scholars which were faculty members from various higher education institutions was invited to participate in the reform for the freedom of the press. Led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Darunee Hiranrak, the Dean of the Faculty of Communication Arts, Chulalongkorn University, a meeting of faculty members on mass communication was held at the Faculty of Communication Arts, Chulalongkorn University, on September 14th, 1992. This marked the first official gathering of mass communication scholars in Thailand and it was held to comment and facilitate the establishment of an independent media for the benefits of the people.
Regarding that meeting, representatives of the Faculty of Mass Communication attended were from 12 institutions, including:
- Chulalongkorn University
- Thammasat University
- Kasetsart University
- Ramkhamhaeng University
- Sukhothai Thammathirat University
- Bangkok University
- Sripatum University
- University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce
- Assumption Business Administration College (currently Assumption University)
- Yo Nok College (currently Nation University)
- Institute of Social Technology (Krirk) (currently Krirk University)
- St. John’s College
The meeting on that day concluded with the establishment of the “Council of the Mass Communication Faculty Members of Thailand” or abbreviated as “C.M.C.T.” Therefore, September 14th, 1992 is considered as the foundation day of the C.M.C.T. with Assoc. Prof. Dr.Darunee Hiranrak as the Chairman. The council was founded with 7 objectives:
- Promote and support the development of mass communication education.
- Promote unity and cooperation among mass communication scholars.
- Promote collaboration and academic exchange in mass communication among institutes.
- Promote collaboration between mass communication institutes and media institutes.
- Promote and support professional development in all fields of mass communication to ensure the media conducts align with the ethical framework and social responsibility.
- Promote the pursuit of information, public awareness, and freedom of the press.
- Perform surveillance duties and assess the quality of mass communication for the public interest.
After that, the 2nd meeting was held on October 5th, 1992 at the Faculty of Communication Arts, Chulalongkorn University, with 16 academic institutes attending with a total of 38 members. The C.M.C.T. principles and regulations were formed based on the 3 main objectives:
- Promote collaboration and exchange for professional education development.
- Promote rights and freedoms, including amending laws relating to the press and encouraging public awareness.
- Promote study, research, and suggest mass communication policies for the benefit of the public.
The 3rd meeting was held on November 2nd, 1992 for the election of the executive committee and officially publicized the establishment of C.M.C.T. The press conference was held at the Faculty of Communication Arts, Chulalongkorn University, with a total of 19 institutes. Later, on January 10th, 1994, the C.M.C.T. was registered in the form of an association, with the first executive committee as follows:
- Assoc. Prof. Dr. Darunee Hiranrak
President
Faculty of Communication Arts, Chulalongkorn University - Chamnong Kumalvisai
Vice President
Faculty of Communication Arts, Sripatum University - Dr. Manit Boonprasert
Vice President
Faculty of Communication Arts, University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce - Assoc. Prof. Aruneeprabha Homsethi
Secretary
Faculty of Humanities, Ramkhamhaeng University - Yupdee Thitikulcharoen
Treasurer
Faculty of Humanities, Ramkhamhaeng University - Suthunsika Kurat
Coordinator
Faculty of Communication Arts, St. John’s College - Dr. Pakapan Bhumijit
Registrar
Faculty of Communication Arts, Institute of Social Technology (Krirk) - Assoc. Prof. Dr. Surat Metheekul
Public Relation
Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication, Thammasat University - Assoc. Prof. Somkuan Kaweeya
Director of Academic Affair
Faculty of Communication Arts, Dhurakij Pundit University - Cha-aun Wutthikamraksa
Director of professional and ethical promotion
Department of Communication Arts, Sukhothai Thammathirat University - Asst.Prof.Dr.Jintana Monteinwichianchai
Director of media consumer promotion and protection
Faculty of Communication Arts, St. John’s College - Dr. Niran Jiwasantikarn
Director of Finance
Faculty of Communication Arts, Yo Nok College - Tharinee Rodson
Deputy Secretary
Faculty of Humanities, Kasetsart University
At the early stage, the C.M.C.T. was driving policies as follows:
- Proposed to repeal the Announcement of the Reform Council No. 15 on the compulsion and control all radio stations to broadcast news from the state.
- Proposed to repeal the Announcement of the Reform Council No. 17 on Freedom of the Press.
Since then, the C.M.C.T. has been following the objectives and missions. It has worked with both public and private sectors in offering academic services to promote and enhance academic activities in mass communication as well as provide knowledge that is useful to the public until now.