Abstract:
The main objective of this thesis is to study the political role of Thai-Rat newspaper and Siam-Rat newspaper which demonstrated through their newspaper contents during the period of political crisis on 14 October 1973, 6 October 1976 and 17-20 May 1992. Their role in providing news, criticizing on the incidents and mobilizing certain changes were analyzed from newspaper front pages, editorials and political columns. As the research result of news providing role, both newspapers took major role in giving political crisis information. Their news reporting in the three political crisis put more emphasis on the people than the government side. However, at the beginning of the situation, both newspapers more carefully reported news which might affect to the government, especially Thai-Rat newspaper. Furthermore, on the day of vital occurrence might occur, which none could predict the result, both newspapers avoided to provide any negative news concerning the government or the authority. On criticism role, both of newspapers supported the current public opinion. They agreed with students and people claim for the new constitution during the crisis of 14 October 1973. These newspapers opposed, in the political crisis on 6 October 1976, to the coming back of Field Marshal Thanom Kittikhachon. And in the political crisis of 17-20 May 1992, they expressed a strong objection to the prime minister who was not from election. On the role of mobilization, their active roles in news presentation and interpretation plus people demands made significant effect to government's policies such as the constitution amendment. By comparison of the two newspapers, Siam-Rat as quality newspaper showed role of providing news, opinion expression and change mobilization continuously and had more certain standing point than Thai-Rat which changed by the situation.