PressEthic

Thailand’s coup, orchestrated by the military on Tuesday while Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra attended the UN meeting in New York, appears to be “clean” as far as these things go. No bloodshed, at least not yet.

Most reports from Bangkok indicate that things continue normally (shopping malls have regular activity—the infallible sign that consumerism is alive and well), and even that citizens appear to be “relieved,” as the Washington Post said.

Amy Gahran , at Poynter Online said “Nevertheless, most military governments don't welcome a free press,” and directs readers to Loren Baker’s site which says:

Two years ago this would not have turned many heads in the online community, but now is the age of citizenship journalism and the Blog Herald points to some bloggers who are covering the peaceful coup.

Meanwhile, YouTube has several videos posted, so far it’s all pretty tame. The military disregards photographers and appears to have little interest in censoring filming.

If the junta decides to tighten grips on the free flow of information, let us hope that people at the ground level will find ways to communicate with the rest of the world. But so far, it appears that citizen journalist and curious tourist alike can easily get footage of bored soldiers.

Until now, the power struggle appears to be off the streets (after months of turmoil around the leadership of Prime Minister Thaksin); a clinical operation involving the top levels of the military and King Bhumibol Adulyadej (who has endorsed the coup)—Meaning that so far a more traditional journalistic approach of seeking official statements in combination with general observations of “the mood” in Bangkok has provided the most information.

But if this military behaves as juntas historically have, it could get sticky quickly, and those brave enough to keep after the tanks with cameras may find it harder to get those close-ups.