Amnesty International Thailand conferred the Human Rights Media Awards while reiterating its stance that “journalism is not a crime” and demanding all sectors be engaged in efforts to protect press freedom and stop the use of justice process as a tool to prevent public participation, aka ‘SLAPP’ and to use against journalists who perform their duties to hold the state accountable faithfully according their ethics.
On 28 February 2026, Amnesty International Thailand announced the results and held a ceremony to confer the “Human Rights Media Awards” for 2025 (Media Awards 2025) at the Best Western Chatuchak Hotel, Bangkok. The awards were presented to honour outstanding media works in the field of human rights in the categories of news and news feature in print and online media, news or news feature in broadcast, news or news feature presented in the form of online video clips, and photographs on the topic of “human rights” to recognize news stories, news features and photos that convey human rights messages on various issues to promote respect of human dignity and to help society uncover truths and to bolster their understanding and fairness.
Puttanee Kangkun, Chairperson of Amnesty International Thailand, recounted the case of a photojournalist who has recently been criminalized as a result of their performing journalist role inside a polling station that even though an election must be held to keep confidential the exercise of the voting right and to ensure that a fair and honest election has taken place, there is no need to enforce the law to clamp down on press freedom. The use of law must be carried out necessarily, proportionately and based on comprehensive facts. Criminalization must not be used as a tool to stifle the performance of duties of media who adhere to their ethics.
Chairperson of Amnesty International Thailand also voiced her concern about the rising trend of the use of Strategic Litigation Against Public Participation (SLAPP) which in most cases does not aim at winning the case. Rather, such cases have been filed to inflict burden and fear among journalists and media organizations who work to hold the state accountable. Being a target of such litigation can incur high costs in terms of expense, time and mental toll causing media to work under sheer pressure and preventing the public from being exposed to well-rounded information.
“Press freedom to conduct field visits, to gather facts and to hold the state power to account is not merely the media’s right. It is also the right that belongs to all people who are entitled to true and comprehensive information useful for making a decision.”
Puttanee further said that the situation in Thailand increasingly mirrors the situation in the region as well, particularly in Myanmar. In the wake of the fifth anniversary of the military coup, there are still relentless reports of human rights violation with the arrest of more than 200 journalists and the killing of at least seven of them. She cited the example of the photojournalist Sai Zaw Thet who has been sentenced to 20 years in jail as a result of his news reporting. This attests to the risks that are faced by media in the region.
In addition, she touched on the vulnerability of communication regarding the Thailand-Cambodia border dispute and warned that misinformation, disinformation and hate speech can only lead to the escalation of conflict and impact human dignity, safety and livelihood of local people.
“We do not call on media to stop reporting. Rather, their reports should be based on facts and caution must be made to ensure their communication shall not further fan the flame of hatred.”
Puttanee wrapped up by thanking journalists for continuing to perform their duties in the midst of risks and pressure and reiterated that “Journalism is not a crime.” All journalists must have freedom to perform their duties safely and independently.”
The Chairperson of Amnesty International Thailand also said that the 2025 Human Rights Media Awards Committee is composed of media and human rights experts who have reviewed and selected the entries carefully before announcing the result for this year as follows;
One Outstanding News and News Feature Award in Print and Online Media:
Six Honourable Mention News and News Feature Awards in Print and Online Media:
“Opposition to mosque construction in Khon Kaen, how it sheds light on fear of Muslims in Isaan, when we are othering people“ The Isaan Record
“When ‘fake news’ fuels Thai people’s hatred towards Myanmar people” HaRDstories
“Tracing the ‘money transfer slips’: A Myanmar labour exploitation ring linked to dictatorship and corrupt bureaucracy” Decode, ThaiPBS
One Outstanding News or News feature Award in broadcast category:
“Young victims lured to work for scammer gangs” Workpoint TV
Three Honourable Mention Awards in the news or news feature category in broadcast category:
“Myawaddy Hell: The Plight of Human Trafficking Victims” Thai Rath TV 32
“Toxic contamination: A silent threat of Myanmar’s mining” One TV 31
“The lives of children in temporary shelters following Thai-Cambodian border clashes” The Active, ThaiPBS
One Outstanding News or News feature Award Presented for Online Video Clip Format:
“Black-chinned Tilapia: Swallowing Species, Devouring Thai State, Major Crime Driven by ‘Monopolistic Capital’” The101.world
Four Honourable Mention Awards for News or News feature presented in the form of online video clips:
“Voices from Earth to Sky: The Plight of 2010 Heroes Amidst Silence” The101.world
“Victims of call centers repeatedly lured, tricked and deceived within justice system” Thai Rath Online
“Khlong Toei residents demand abolition of compulsory military service” Online SpringNews
“Being a single mother and sex worker” alien
1st Prize in the Photo Category on the Topic of “Human Rights”:
“Life in Unfamiliar Land of ‘Myanmar Migrant Workers’: Just another day to work to fulfil dreams, for families and democracy” by Thanet Saengthongsrikamol
2nd Prize in the Photo Category on the Topic of “Human Rights”:
“Breaking Free from Bondage: The Reintegration into Society of LGBTQ+ Ex-convicts” by Warut Pongpipat
3rd Prize in the Photo Category on the Topic of “Human Rights”:
“Labor Day” By Pharanu Wannasripisut
Honourable Mentions in in the Photo Category on the Topic of “Human Rights:
“The Lost Right to Education, Along with the Dreams of ‘Poo Paen’, the paper folding that she made when she was 17” by Suphanat Rattanathanaprasan
“In the blink of an eye, homes and loved ones taken away: Voices from people living on the border during the Thai-Cambodian clashes,” by Thanaporn Wuttisorn.
“Education and Hopes of the young Mani indigenous people,” by Nattapop Sangket
“We will not be silenced, Together for the Salween,” by Methichai Tiawana
“Stories of War Victims in Myanmar’s Conflict,” by Naphat Kongchan
“Rayong’s artisanal fisheries and the uncertain future ” by Patiphan Damrongkitman
Amnesty International Thailand would like to thank media for being the most important person in today’s event and for helping to drive and be a medium to fight for human rights and provide the public with correct understanding, both in the past and in the future. We emphasized that these awards do not only honour the work of media, but also attest to the role of media in protecting human rights and freedom of expression, which remains critically important to Thai society. Amnesty International Thailand would like to thank everyone who has helped to advocate for human rights with us, to make human rights a matter for everyone.