By Suchada Tupchai
When we talk about a local newspaper, there are many
differing opinions on what such a publication should be like. This is a
result of numerous, varied experiences and needs for information. Some see
a local newspaper as being only a source for local political news and
advertising with little other information necessary. Others see an
additional facet in the community, a voice for the people, an instrument
of democracy. Some see just a puppet for the local government and
political figures. Or a medium that allows residents facing difficulties
to bring their problems into the open in the hope of finding a fair and
just solution.
There are many attitudes and ideas that make up a local
newspaper but essentially a publication of this kind is a democratic right
to freedom of speech backed by the people.
Over the past 40 years the format of local newspapers
has changed, a process that is accelerating. But always they aim at
serving society. A newspaper should report news without bias and without
being swayed by political or commercial pressures. Yet, having said that,
no society is homogenous. Society consists of individuals who generally
gravitate into groups. A newspaper ruminating over its own “backyard”
quickly understands this, and will base its editorial platform squarely on
target readership and specific groups. The readership will always come
first, but every newspaper owner and editor understands that the
publication has to have its own “voice” in order for people to want to
read it.
In a country where a local newspaper is not produced in
the national tongue, other factors come into play. Thailand has a thriving
Thai-language publishing industry, but foreign language newspapers have
sprung up in growing areas where the need for a second language must be
met. Prime examples of this are Phuket, Chiang Mai and Pattaya. The
readership is not only foreigners, there are a great many Thai readers
interested in the foreign language press, regardless of whether the
information is from other parts of the country or overseas. It gives them
an opportunity to see a wider picture of the world we live in, the
perspective to exert freedom of speech, and to improve their society
without official directives.
The Pattaya Mail is one of those newspapers, an English
language newspaper that has grown with the city of Pattaya over the years.
At our 12th anniversary, we can appreciate the
importance of providing good reading for the community and providing the
most benefit for consumers, whether the reader is Thai or from abroad,
because everyone plays an important part in creating a better community.
Over the years, the Pattaya Mail team has had to
improve and develop to keep up with the times and the growing community.
Always we endeavour to work harder for the readership. Our readers are at
the heart of everything. Readers make our team better and stronger and
increase our standards.
We understand that this July 23 we are here because of
you.
