T I T V To Become First Public Television Station Without Advertising

[sriracha john]

TiTV to be first public broadcaster

Law would create a public TV without advertising, funded by a specific tax

TiTV will likely be endorsed as the country's first public broadcaster when the Cabinet decides the station's future later this month, Prime Minister's Office Minister Khunying Dhipavadee Meksawan said.

She told The Nation in an interview the Cabinet would consider a bill on public TV and free or independent TV on Apr 24.

Besides the public TV model, the proposed legislation will also allow another commercially run, free-to-air station in the future, too.

At this stage, the Surayud Chulanont government, which has another six months in office, will concentrate on pushing the legislation through the National Legislative Assembly so it can turn TiTV, or Thailand Independent Television, into the country's first public broadcaster funded by a specific tax and/or an annual state budget.

The broadcast concession of TiTV was formerly held by iTV. It was majority owned by ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and family before being sold to Temasek Holdings of Singapore.

The concession was returned to the government last month after iTV was unable to pay enormous back fees and penalty fines.

Based on the public TV model, the bill will stipulate sources of tax revenue or annual appropriations to fund the station.

Public television will have no advertising income so it must be guaranteed a reliable source of state income - similar to public broadcasters in the United Kingdom, United States or Japan, Dhipavadee said.

The bill stipulates the required qualifications of public-television management and programming content. For example, broadcasts between 5pm and 8pm are reserved for children's programmes.

Dhipavadee said "the draft legislation ensures public television would not come under government or political influence.

"It will be governed by a citizens' board whose members will rotate and come from diverse professional and other backgrounds."

Unpaid board members will supervise the quality and appropriateness of content.

There will be an oversight committee, too. It will hear complaints and take action if the broadcaster fails to meet legislated objectives.

Meanwhile, Dhipavadee said the bill would pave the way for another commercially run free-to-air broadcaster in the future - to be invested and operated by the private sector. "When a new UHF band is available it will be possible to establish such a station because the bill being considered by Cabinet covers both public and free television.

"We just need some additional legal amendments to proceed with the set-up of another free television station," she said.

- The Nation

Edited April 14, 2007 by Ijustwannateach

[sriracha john]

What a positive outcome from the crap that aired previously on ThaksinTV.

A truly independent and educational television station... something very much in need here in the LOS (Land of Soaps).

Edited April 15, 2007 by sriracha john

[taxexile]

A truly independent and educational television station

or a mouthpiece for government propaganda.

[jumnien]

JUNTV

[george]

This will for sure be last nail in the coffin for TITV

[weary]

What a positive outcome from the crap that aired previously on ThaksinTV.

A truly independent and educational television station... something very much in need here in the LOS (Land of Soaps).

IF that is what it really becomes, then I agree one hundred percent. But I see potential problems in

1) That the government uses it as their mouthpiece

2) The election process for the board that decides what to be shown. (The wrong type of board could restrict programming to nationalistic propaganda and the conservative ideas of what 'Thai culture' and 'proper' mean, has proven time and time again to be a blinder to objectivity and progress.)

3) For the above reasons, instead of glossy, epilepsy-inducing brainless gameshows and stereotypical soaps, we could get something akin to Myanmar's state television. Marching bands, flag waving and classical dance performances are great, but only in moderation...

But let's see what becomes of it - it could be the start of something positive just like you say.

[Ajarn]

A truly independent and educational television station

or a mouthpiece for government propaganda.

Did you really expect anything controlled by any government to not express its views?

Come on dude, get real...

[jasreeve17]

What a positive outcome from the crap that aired previously on ThaksinTV.

A truly independent and educational television station... something very much in need here in the LOS (Land of Soaps).

IF that is what it really becomes, then I agree one hundred percent. But I see potential problems in

1) That the government uses it as their mouthpiece

2) The election process for the board that decides what to be shown. (The wrong type of board could restrict programming to nationalistic propaganda and the conservative ideas of what 'Thai culture' and 'proper' mean, has proven time and time again to be a blinder to objectivity and progress.)

3) For the above reasons, instead of glossy, epilepsy-inducing brainless gameshows and stereotypical soaps, we could get something akin to Myanmar's state television. Marching bands, flag waving and classical dance performances are great, but only in moderation...

But let's see what becomes of it - it could be the start of something positive just like you say.

Agreed.

If it was funded by a TV license / tax and was free from government and commercial (business) tie ups, it could be great. - A very important step for Thai democracy.

Let's hope that the Prime Minister see's it as his legacy and pushes it through.

(Of course I'm very pessimistic about its chances, due to the nature of Thais to turn every possible good thing to their own corrupt cause.)

[sriracha john]

TiTV set to be public broadcaster

The cabinet decided today that the nationalised TiTV station should be run as a public television station, with the aim of providing knowledge, with no advertisements and no intervention from state or private companies. "The cabinet agreed that TiTv be a public station," Darunee Hiranrak, chairwoman of a committee responsible for gathering public views on TITV's future, told reporters. "This is expected to be completed within this government." Mrs Darunee said that a committee would be set up to work on the operations and financial plans of the station. It would receive financial support mainly from public donations, "sin taxes" and funds from the Thai Health Promotion Foundation.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/breaking_news/b...s.php?id=118300

Edited April 24, 2007 by sriracha john

[sriracha john]

TiTV to be first public TV

Cabinet backs plan for independent broadcaster; bill to go to NLA shortly

The interim government will submit a public television bill to the National Legislative Assembly by May 11, so it can turn Thailand's Independent Television (TiTV) into the country's first public broadcaster by the end of its tenure.

Khunying Dhipavadee Meksawan, the PM's Office Minister, said the plan, approved by the Cabinet yesterday, would ensure the new broadcaster truly serves the public.

"It will be independent of the government - as well as big business groups," she said, adding that the public broadcaster would be run by a professional management team, not by state officials. To avoid political and business interference, the station will be funded by an earmarked tax from the Excise Department, as well as subsidies from public health, education, and other public funds.

Dhipavadee estimated that the station, which will have no advertising commercials, would need up to Bt1.7 billion for its annual budget.

Darunee Hiranruk, chairperson of the committee tasked with a public hearing on the future of TiTV, said about 70 per cent of respondents preferred the public TV model to the other option - a privately-owned TV station.

Somkiat Tangkijvanij, a committee member, said the proposed station would get a fixed tax revenue by law, so the government could not interfere with the station's funding.

"The cost of this station will depend on the quality of its contents. For medium quality programmes (18 hours per day), it may need an estimated Bt1.1 billion per year. For high-quality content, the budget would be as high as Bt1.7 billion.

"About 50 per cent of this amount will come from taxes," he said, adding that the Surayud government was expected to set up the first public broadcaster over the next six months.

For programmes, he said, the choices would be diverse, including quality news and current affairs, "edu-tainment" for children and disadvantaged youths, quality documentaries and dramas, etc.

A public organisation would be set up to operate the proposed station, supervised by a policy committee, a management committee, an editorial committee and a citizens' committee. Members of these committee would not be state officials.

Meanwhile, Suriyasai Katasila, secretary-general of Campaign for Democracy, expressed support for the government's plan.

"It represents a reform of the Thai mass media, but we have to ensure that the station is properly funded so that it doesn't have to turn to politicians for money.

"The proposed station should truly represent the interests of people and consumers and must be geared for growth, so that it doesn't end up like the state-owned Channel 11."

Suriyasai said the plan, if implemented properly, could become a major achievement of the Surayud government.

Poldej Pinpratheep, the deputy social development and human security minister, said the Surayud government should come up with a policy direction for Channel 11.

In addition, it should lay down groundwork on future use of three remaining UHF airwaves.

- The Nation

[taxexile]

A public organisation would be set up to operate the proposed station, supervised by a policy committee, a management committee, an editorial committee and a citizens' committee. Members of these committee would not be state officials.

it could have been a great opportunity to raise the standard of television here , but with a policy committee , a management committee , an editorial committee and a citizens committee all trying to direct a public organisation , and with all the people vying for position and influence within all those committees, sub committees, focus groups and working parties , and notwithstanding vested interests , favours , cream-offs and kickbacks , i suspect nothing much will change.

i hope i am wrong.

[Jai Dee]

T-iTV to become country's first public broadcaster

Minister to the Prime Minister's Office Khunying Tipawadee Meksawan (ทิพาวดี เมฆสวรรค์) states T-iTV must be run as public media from now on.

Khunying Tipawadee reiterated the resolution of the Cabinet meeting yesterday, announcing T-iTV to operate its television station as a public media. The management of the television station will be independent both from state and private sector. T-iTV is reportedly required to produce programs aimed to give knowledge in various areas, including education, culture, and tradition. Meanwhile, T-iTV is prohibited to present news in an attempt to favor some groups or people.

T-iTV operation must be managed by proficient committee of media policy, professional executives of TV management, specialized editors of program schedule and content, and civic committee.

As for the source of T-iTV’s revenue, Minister to the PM’s Office says T-iTV is needed to refuse financial support from business tycoon.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 25 April 2007

[Jai Dee]

Cabinet sets Bt1.1 billion for TiTV budget

The Thai Cabinet has resolved to make TiTV a public TV medium with a Bt1.1 billion fund to be provided by the current government as financial support for the public TV station.

Darunee Hirunrak, chairperson of a committee in charge of compiling viewpoints involving the UHF TV station, said the cabinet has decided to earmark the Bt1.1 billion funding, some of which will come from excise tax and grants from state agencies, such as the Health Promotion Foundation.

The public TV station will be operated as a public organisation by a board of directors. A working group is to be set up by Prime Minister's Office Minister Dhipavadee Meksawan to lay the groundwork for running and the structuring of TiTV, formerly known as iTV, and matters pertaining to the TV station's income, personnel and programming. The process of turning TiTV into public TV is expected to consume a six-month timeframe.

While rules and regulations for broadcasting industry are yet to be enacted by the National Broadcasting Commission in the future, TiTV will remain as a public medium without advertisements on air and free of

political and commercial influences, Mrs. Darunee said.

Somkiat Tangkitwanit, a member of Mrs Darunee's panel, added that TiTV will not only present news coverage and documentaries but also entertainment programming, while the board of directors will see to it that their running of the new public TV station will not be interfered with by outsiders as had been the case of the National Broadcasting Commission and the National Telecommunications Commission.

Source: TNA - 25 April 2007

[isaanbrit]

This sounds like a fantastic idea.

I hope it comes off as good as it sounds.

[Jai Dee]

TITV staffers warn of chaos in public plan

TITV and its producers have voiced concerns over the government's plan to turn the station into a public television channel that would have no advertising, saying this was not the right time and that huge adjustment costs could be incurred.

TITV also urged the government to focus on solving the financial problems involved in its operations, which could lead to a disruption in broadcasting in the very near future.

Since last month, the channel has been living on its "editorial fund" of Bt800,000 and public donations

of Bt700,000. Only Bt300,000 remains, which is enough to operate for a week. Its employees have not yet received their salary since March, while reporting allowances have been cut to save money.

Assistant executive editor Jom Phetpradap yesterday said TITV had been born out of iTV, which existed for 10 years under a free-business structure. As such, it would be difficult to adjust itself to working under state control if it were transformed into a public television station.

"We're not protesting against the transformation, but in these days of social division, it's not the right timing. A public TV station could be created with mutual social understanding. Today, we're still hungry but have nothing to feed our stomachs. We don't even know what will happen next month. This is an urgent issue that the government should consider," Jom said.

He also noted that the TITV brand was strong due to its personnel and facilities and questioned whether those strengths would remain after the transformation.

Born Corp owner Traiphop Limpraphat today will host a press conference to reveal the opinions on the transformation from the 120 producers.

"Through the Cabinet's resolution on Wednesday, the government showed no concern for producers and their employees. We want fairness. We want the government to be aware it should not proceed without a contingency plan to help the more than 10,000 people involved in producing programmes for TITV," he said.

The Cabinet yesterday resolved to transform TITV into a public television station within six months. It also approved a fixed budget of Bt1.7 billion a year to finance operations in return for a ban on all advertising.

TITV assistant news director Kitti Singhapat said his 20 years of experience in television had taught him it was a money-consuming industry. Under the new structure, there was a question of who would be able to approve an extra budget if the Bt1.7 billion could not cover the operating costs.

"With fixed budgets, producers would also reduce the quality to match the lower pay. Then the number of viewers would drop. Staff would come under social pressure, since the station would be operating on tax money. There would be questions from this and that group that could not get their requests onscreen," he said.

TITV sales and marketing director Anusorn Yuktanan noted that since coming under government control, TITV was already facing financial difficulties.

Advertising revenues immediately dropped from Bt120 million last month to Bt80 million this month.

Producers are also concerned about the Cabinet's resolution, and several have approached the channel for programme withdrawals, Anusorn said.

Poly Plus has already cancelled its weekend soap opera, which will be replaced by a South Korean series. A few more are negotiating to return the allocated air time, due to financial problems.

Having no money, TITV must strike time-sharing contracts with two producers, in order to share its advertising revenues with them.

"My question is: how many quality documentaries like those on National Geographic and Discovery Channel could be bought with a budget of Bt1.7 billion a year? Without advertising, about 100 personnel in my department will also be fired. About 39 have already resigned, due mainly to difficulties in selling ads after the broadcasting licence was revoked on March 6," he said.

Since March 6, TITV has transferred Bt80 million to the Public Relations Department. But in using the money, it must undergo the bureaucratic reimbursement process. As a result, not a single baht has been reimbursed, Anusorn said.

Source: The Nation - 26 April 2007

[The Dan Sai Kid]

Somkiat Tangkitwanit, a member of Mrs Darunee's panel, added that TiTV will not only present news coverage and documentaries but also entertainment programming

Well, I guess that will be a first for Thailand as there is surely nothing I find entertaining on the other 5...

[hammered]

TITV staffers warn of chaos in public plan

TITV and its producers have voiced concerns over the government's plan to turn the station into a public television channel that would have no advertising, saying this was not the right time and that huge adjustment costs could be incurred.

TITV also urged the government to focus on solving the financial problems involved in its operations, which could lead to a disruption in broadcasting in the very near future.

Since last month, the channel has been living on its "editorial fund" of Bt800,000 and public donations

of Bt700,000. Only Bt300,000 remains, which is enough to operate for a week. Its employees have not yet received their salary since March, while reporting allowances have been cut to save money.

Assistant executive editor Jom Phetpradap yesterday said TITV had been born out of iTV, which existed for 10 years under a free-business structure. As such, it would be difficult to adjust itself to working under state control if it were transformed into a public television station.

"We're not protesting against the transformation, but in these days of social division, it's not the right timing. A public TV station could be created with mutual social understanding. Today, we're still hungry but have nothing to feed our stomachs. We don't even know what will happen next month. This is an urgent issue that the government should consider," Jom said.

He also noted that the TITV brand was strong due to its personnel and facilities and questioned whether those strengths would remain after the transformation.

Born Corp owner Traiphop Limpraphat today will host a press conference to reveal the opinions on the transformation from the 120 producers.

"Through the Cabinet's resolution on Wednesday, the government showed no concern for producers and their employees. We want fairness. We want the government to be aware it should not proceed without a contingency plan to help the more than 10,000 people involved in producing programmes for TITV," he said.

The Cabinet yesterday resolved to transform TITV into a public television station within six months. It also approved a fixed budget of Bt1.7 billion a year to finance operations in return for a ban on all advertising.

TITV assistant news director Kitti Singhapat said his 20 years of experience in television had taught him it was a money-consuming industry. Under the new structure, there was a question of who would be able to approve an extra budget if the Bt1.7 billion could not cover the operating costs.

"With fixed budgets, producers would also reduce the quality to match the lower pay. Then the number of viewers would drop. Staff would come under social pressure, since the station would be operating on tax money. There would be questions from this and that group that could not get their requests onscreen," he said.

TITV sales and marketing director Anusorn Yuktanan noted that since coming under government control, TITV was already facing financial difficulties.

Advertising revenues immediately dropped from Bt120 million last month to Bt80 million this month.

Producers are also concerned about the Cabinet's resolution, and several have approached the channel for programme withdrawals, Anusorn said.

Poly Plus has already cancelled its weekend soap opera, which will be replaced by a South Korean series. A few more are negotiating to return the allocated air time, due to financial problems.

Having no money, TITV must strike time-sharing contracts with two producers, in order to share its advertising revenues with them.

"My question is: how many quality documentaries like those on National Geographic and Discovery Channel could be bought with a budget of Bt1.7 billion a year? Without advertising, about 100 personnel in my department will also be fired. About 39 have already resigned, due mainly to difficulties in selling ads after the broadcasting licence was revoked on March 6," he said.

Since March 6, TITV has transferred Bt80 million to the Public Relations Department. But in using the money, it must undergo the bureaucratic reimbursement process. As a result, not a single baht has been reimbursed, Anusorn said.

Source: The Nation - 26 April 2007

Interesting that a so called producer only thinks of buying in rather than actually producing something, and buying in from big name documentary producers who are already available on cable/satellite TV in Thailand. It is also questionable that the quality of programs on National Geo or discovery is really that high.

Oh well I guess it is bye bye to the life of stuff a bunch of soap operas on the telly; flog off a load of advertising during it; see your bonuses go through the roof; enjoy the high life of champagne, star packed parties, all the paraphenalia that goes with it without having to ever really do much work. Yes it will need true professionals to make a public television station work, but maybe serving the interests of the public in providing a channel a bit different to the current ones should come before a tad of disruption to some producer's life. Hey and where were these hard done by idealistic guys when ITV was being purged of investigative journalists by the previous regime and turned into somethinmg it was never intended to be?

[Bottlerocket]

"My question is: how many quality documentaries like those on National Geographic and Discovery Channel could be bought with a budget of Bt1.7 billion a year? Without advertising, about 100 personnel in my department will also be fired. About 39 have already resigned, due mainly to difficulties in selling ads after the broadcasting licence was revoked on March 6," he said.

Why don't they just make their own quality documentaries? Whingers.

[sriracha john]

TITV chiefs urge govt to think again

Executives of Thailand Independent Television (TITV) are calling on the government to review its decision to transform the television station into a non-profit, commercial-free public service channel. TITV marketing and sales director Anusorn Yuktanan said yesterday that executives of the former iTV would ask the government to review its decision, before the station loses any more money. They believe they still have a chance to press for a review as the government has yet to officially announce the change. Mr Anusorn said TITV should maintain its old status for greater working flexibility. The station made 130 million baht in March, down 60 million baht compared to the same period last year.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/26Apr2007_news02.php

[Jai Dee]

Khunying Tipawadee affirms TiTV to become public station

The Minister to the Prime Minister's Office affirmed that TITV would become a public television network.

Minister to the Prime Minister's Office, Khunying Tipawadee Meksawan (ทิพาวดี เมฆสวรรค์ ), said that no further consideration would be made into determining whether TITV would be established as a public television network. Khunying Tipawadee said the welfare of the nation is first and foremost in the government's decision to convert TITV into public property and further communication with all involved parties was necessary to expedite understanding into the benefits of a public television channel due to the measure's unprecedented implementation in Thailand.

The Minister to the Prime Minister's Office said that many nation's have had public television networks for many years, with no major problems. Thai television producers are asked to adjust themselves to changing times. Khunying Tipawadee added that the government is currently drafting laws governing public television activities, and expect a first draft to be completed on May 11.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 27 April 2007

[Tony Clifton]

How about COURT TV, show us all these cases that are going on.

[sriracha john]

THAILAND: Angry TV producers

An angry group of TITV producers led by well-known TV host Traiphop Limpraphat has urged the government to revise its decision to turn the troubled broadcaster into a model public television station.

The group plans to submit a letter to the cabinet as soon as possible, according to Mr Traiphop. Producers said the closure of TITV, previously known as iTV, would kill their profession. About 120 producers make content for TITV, including Mr Traiphop's company Born and Associates Co.

"I wonder about the legitimacy of this government to shut down TITV," Mr Traiphop said angrily at a press briefing yesterday.

Other producers attending the briefing were from How Come Entertainment -- a company partly owned by Panthongtae Shinawatra, son of former prime minister Thaksin -- ST Grand Corporation, ID Project, Kontai Entertainment and TV Thunder.

TITV staff also disagreed with the government's latest decision on the station's fate. On Tuesday, the cabinet determined to turn TITV, currently supervised by the Public Relations Department, into a public TV station, modelled on the BBC. It would be free of commercials and receive up to 1.7 billion baht in financial support from the government annually. The government has to draft a new law to concerning public television.

The producers could not calculate the cumulative damages from the station's closure. But many have made content a year in advance that now may never see the light of day.

Niruit Tananuchittikul, the president of EEF Co Ltd, a TV programme producer, said his company had bought rights to air a National Geographic documentary and the popular cartoon series Dragon Ball. The cartoon alone cost him more than 20 million baht.

According to TITV's marketing department, revenues in March were 120 million baht, but dropped to 80 million in April. Commercial bookings for May are 70 million baht, a decline management attributed to the uncertainty over the station's future.

Mr Niruit said TITV would have been able to generate income for the government if it were still a commercial enterprise. Turning the broadcaster into a public station also went against a trend in the global market to support free TV, he said.

They also attacked Dr Somkiat Tangkitvanich, a researcher at the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI). They claimed he had proposed an idealistic TV model despite having never worked in the TV industry.

Dr Somkiat is one of the members of a committee that will determine TITV's future. In fact, the committee suggested the government maintain independent TV and introduce public television separately. But the cabinet decided otherwise.

The producers also called the ministers "dreamers", claiming 1.7 billion baht was not enough to make high-quality content.

- Asia Media

========================

They want their over-inflated salaries back and don't want to work for a public broadcaster....

go quit then and peddle your crap shows over on 3, 5, 7, and 9.

[sriracha john]

Tax on commercials could help fund TITV

Taxing television commercials could be an alternative to using the state budget for financing Thailand Independent Television (TITV), according to Wisudhi Srisuphan, the director-general of the Excise Department. The government this week decided to transform TITV, formerly known as iTV and controlled by the family of ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, into a commercial-free public TV station. Some government officials have cited the model of Britain's BBC, which is funded from annual television licence fees paid by households. The current licence fee is 135.50 (about 9,500 baht) per year. Mr Wisudhi said the government might consider levying an excise tax on commercials of other TV channels and use the revenue to fund TITV programming.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/280407_Business...r2007_biz40.php

[Jai Dee]

Office of Permanent Secretary and PRD to draft fee schedule for T-iTV

The Permanent Secretary to the Prime Minister's Office, Mr. Chulayud Hiranyawasit (จุลยุทธ์ หิรัณยะวสิต), says that his agency and the Public Relations Department are preparing to draft fee schedules for the T-iTV station.

Mr. Chulayud says he has instructed the committee charged with overseeing legislature for the operation of T-iTV television channel to cooperate with the Public Relations Department in drafting fee schedule regulations for the channel's operation.

Mr. Chulayud says the Ministry of Finance has plans to circulate T-iTV 's funding for other expenses. The permanent secretary to the Prime Minister's Office said reports that T-iTV may sue for profit losses from the government can be mediated by proper discussions.

The Permanent Secretary's Office is currently in the process of studying T-iTV's asset structure, and when the television channel submitted its financial statements on May 8, issues regarding the matter would be clarified.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 30 April 2007

[sriracha john]

TITV's future still uncertain

The future of TITV remains uncertain as the "staff's fund" is drying up and the government has not decided which agency should be empowered to disburse the budget allocated to run the station. PM's Office permanent secretary Chullayuth Hiranyawisit stopped short of saying whether the legal problems could be settled in time to save the station. After the government take-over in March of TITV's predecessor, iTV, the station has operated on a "staff's fund" and public donations amounting to less than a million baht. Reports last week said the cash would run out in less than 10 days.

Continued here:

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/01May2007_news17.php

[Jai Dee]

PRD director-general affirms TITV employees will receive first pay at the end of this month

Public Relations Department Director-General Pramote Ratthawinit (ปราโมช รัฐวินิจ) affirms that employees of TITV will receive their first pay at the end of this month.

Mr. Pramote said the Office of the Prime Minister, which owns the TITV concession, is currently sending the matter to the Office of the Council of State in order to get an answer for the Ministry of Finance, which inquired about who would have the rights to the money matters. He said he expects the Council of State to reply within 1-2 days. He said he understand that this right belonged to the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Prime Minister's Office, but said that the problem is how to proceed to pay salary to TITV staff. He said the Public Relations Department was assigned 2 matters including the procedure of payment and the method of payment, and these steps will be completed within 2 weeks. He said he believe TITV employees would receive the first pay at the end of this month.

Regarding the administration of TITV structure, Mr. Pramote said the Public Relations Department has already moved in to oversee the respective policies and operations that does not interfere with the station's programming and this would remain the case until a clear policy change is issued.

Source: Thai National News Bureau Public Relations Department - 03 May 2007

[jumnien]

Exactly how is a TV station financed by the military junta to be "public television"? I'm sure it will be an endless drivel of anti-Thaksin and pro right-wing coup-monger propoganda. How entertaining! Maybe they could sell a few hours a day to their brethren in Myanmar.

[Plus]

Ah.. Traiphop...

UPHEAVAL IN BROADCAST MEDIA: Traiphop defects to iTV

Published on Dec 17, 2003

TV host Traiphop Limpraphat has defected from Channel TV 3 to Shin Corp Plc’s iTV as the political and business domination of Prime Minister Thaksin Shinwatra’s empire hit the entertainment industry.

Sources close to Shin Corp said Traiphop was moving to iTV and was also expected to hold a new 10-per-cent stake in the company.

“He is also expected to be promoted to TV station director,” one of the sources said.

... before Shin Corp approached him, the premier’s Thai Rak Thai party had courted him to represent Thai Rak Thai in one of the Southern provinces during the next election.

.... Shin Corp needed Traiphop’s skills to transform iTV from a pure news station to a more entertainment-focussed network.

.... Traiphop’s move to iTV coincides with a government project to provide low-cost television sets for people, bundled with free iTV antennas.

“The TV project launched last month and now the presence of Traiphop will help iTV further expand its broadcast coverage and boost ratings,” the observer said.

The Nation

http://nationmultimedia.com/search/page.ar...date=2003-12-17

[sriracha john]

TV with a focus on public service

As Thailand prepares to launch its first public television station by transforming Thailand Independent Television (TITV), all effort needs to be made to guarantee that clear and strict rules are issued on the governance of the TV station to keep it free from the influence of politicians and interest groups. The birth of public TV should preferably also open up greater opportunities for small-time independent producers of programmes, who have faced discrimination from government-run TV stations throughout the past several decades.

There is a clear distinction between a public broadcasting network and an independent commercial station relatively free from state control. Government leaders on a number of occasions referred to public service broadcasting and independent television as if they were the same thing. Put simply, the planned state-subsidised public service broadcasting network would aim to offer quality programming that helps to improve society in the long run, whereas a market-driven independent commercial network must cater to popular tastes, rely on advertisers for its survival and compete successfully with other networks to survive.

For a public TV station, the real power to control the quality of programming must be placed in the hands of the viewers. Under universal standards for public service broadcasting stations, an audience council must be established with members appointed from professional groups in different parts of the country. These council members will function as representatives of different sectors of society.

The agencies responsible must make it clear from the beginning that the new public TV station will not turn out to be something similar to Channel 11. Although some people might have the false impression that Channel 11 is a public TV station, it has never been one since the very first day of its existence because it failed to break free from political influence. Besides, the recent claim by some people at TITV that transforming the independent station into a public service broadcaster would amount to unnecessarily creating a second Channel 11 is sheer distortion of fact regarding the planned station. Such an unfounded claim unfairly paints a bad picture of the project even before any initial action is taken to get it off the ground.

As a matter of fact, many highly competent Thai media professionals with good working principles have been denied the opportunity to produce quality news, documentary and interview programming because those in control of the TV stations were under the influence of politicians, or ran the stations only for commercial gain. Members of the Thai media have the potential to produce quality programmes comparable with those from BBC or NHK, but they have not had the chance to prove themselves.

If the planned public TV station is indeed kept free from political influence and truly serves the Thai public's need for news and information, it would be a shining light and a beacon of hope for a society that has long seen no escape from the low quality programmes force-fed to it by commercial TV stations.

Even so, the outlook for the planned public broadcaster is not likely to be rosy since it is something new or even radical for the Thai public. Obstacles are predictable due to a lack of understanding among some sectors of society, especially those with links to interest and political groups - and even to media circles.

Give this situation, it is the duty of the viewing public who understand the merits of a true public service TV station to make their voice heard loud and clear.

Thailand's TV media have been under the influence of those in power and interest groups for too long and might have lost their direction. The birth of a true public TV station will help shine a light on the path to producing the quality of programming sorely needed by expectant viewers.

In fact, both public service broadcasting and independent commercial networks should do well in their own ways if the government maintains a hands-off policy.

- The Nation Editorial

[rychrde]

Some government officials have cited the model of Britain's BBC, which is funded from annual television licence fees paid by households. The current licence fee is 135.50 (about 9,500 baht) per year.

And where is the average Thai gonna get 9kB to pay for one station - 2 or 3 month salary for many!

In the UK it is just another tax, about 1% of the average wage, which translated into thai comes to maybe max 50 baht a month not enough to keep the producers in free lunches.

absolutely mindless!

actually, most other models are better than the british one. In Italy the state channels have always shown advertising, just less of it and less intrusively than the commercial channels. Indeed Italian politics is so splintered they ended up carving up the tv channels as right-wing, left-wing and liberal. On thai tv there is advertising everywhere, especially product placements inside programmes.

rych