Censorship in Thailand involves the strict control of political news under successive governments, including by harassment and manipulation. Freedom of speech was guaranteed in 1997 and those guarantees continue in 2007. Mechanisms for censorship have included strict lèse majesté laws, direct government/military control over the broadcast media, and the use of economic and political pressure. Criticism of the king is banned by the constitution, although most lèse majesté cases have been directed at foreigners, or at Thai opponents of political, social and commercial leaders.