Calls For Media To Restrain From Publicizing Acts Of Violence And Sex Appeal

[John K]

Sex sells and my point is time and time again history has shown people who try to stop or block it have always failed. I am not just talking recent history, I am talking well over 1000 years. The fact that it is around today is testament to that.

For people that have come to me, every person and I do mean every person that has some issues with sex in media or in advertizement has a personal problem with their own sexuality.

In retrospect I guess she must do something to earn her pay.

[noctiluca]

Let me add some of my thoughts to this discussion. As a Thai with an experience living abroad, I must say I agree to the Ministry of Culture, but to some extent.

I am not sure if those of you who can read or understand Thai have noticed what and how some Thai mass newspapers exploit news (or non-news) and put on their front page (not to mention inside). Many of them are over-sensationalized and some times downright so exploitative that I question if they ever have some journalistic responsibilities. I mean for both sex and violence related news. They often depict images of sensual women with seductive pose or sexy attire on the front page, so big it covers almost half the whole page, for no apparent reason except to just sell the paper. How about the candid violent images, i.e. death, accidents, victims of sexual assault, you name it, they display carelessly on their front page? Unfortunately, there seems to be more influx of those paparazzi tabloids/magazines, and sadder still, they seem to become more popular. These are just the tips of the iceberg.

Now on television, particularly free public TV, if you think a lot on American TV are trashed, then you have seen nothing yet on Thai TV. It is full of garbage for the brain. No wonder we are still a "developing" country and that questions me how "developing" we are. Most programs on TV have no value whatsoever except to solicit some laughter, and many times you have to laugh, not with them, but at them for their stupidity. There, however, are some really good programs, for example some educational documentary programs on Channel 9, but they are often relegated to the "non-prime time" time slot. I have seen some great educational and wonderful children programs that are shown at too early hour of the day that I wonder if anybody at all would wake up to see them. Sadly, most popular programs are either melodrama soaps (where women are chasing after the same man--oh, please he is not even worth your cat-fight) or comedies (with lame gags or physical jokes) or game shows (that require "celebrity" players). There is even a joke going around that spells out the rigid formula for these shows, especially the over-the-top Thai soaps. I often wonder what a foreigner would think of Thailand when they watch these shows and whether this would affect how they understand the country and the people.

I was often told that the reason most Thais, especially the underprivileged, the undereducated, or the rural local, (but many middle class/educated workers are not completely off the hook either), like to watch these kinds of garbage is because their lives are hard and stressful enough. So much so that they just want to escape to fantasy and entertainment. Granted, there is some truth to it, but I also think the producers of these programs need to consider their responsibilities to the society. Not everything has to be about profits. At the very least, try to find a way to put out some good programs to successfully counter the balance and offer viewers an alternative. I believe Thais are intelligent enough and deserve more than what they are offered now.

Most importantly, though, I still believe it is mainly parental responsibilities to screen what their children should read and view, be it from print media, television, or internet. They can't deny that responsibility. I know it is an almost-impossibly tough job, and I salute them for it. But realistically, I think others should help out, too. At least, assist or simplify the way for parents to monitor their children. The solution is definitely not to ban everything "they" perceive to be inappropriate. We don't need a "Big Brother". We just need assistance from time to time.

Adults also need to step up and be a good role model for children (well, at least be honest), to educate them appropriately about sex. There is nothing wrong or to be ashamed of about sex itself. Somehow, people always associate sex with other vices like violence or abuse, but it is the violence that is not, in any circumstance, acceptable.

[johnong]

I just wish there was a way of blocking out the oppressive product placement / in-show advertising and the "bling" and "kapow" noises that seem to be added to every onscreen movement of prime time Thai TV.

It really is lowest common denominator stuff and of no value at all. There are some good imported documentories and the thai travel progs are getting better, but I am quite happy when the TV signal does down

[bkkandrew]

I just wish there was a way of blocking out the oppressive product placement / in-show advertising and the "bling" and "kapow" noises that seem to be added to every onscreen movement of prime time Thai TV.

It really is lowest common denominator stuff and of no value at all. There are some good imported documentories and the thai travel progs are getting better, but I am quite happy when the TV signal does down

If they edited out those, along with everything else, the signal would be off...

[andy1308]

Let me add some of my thoughts to this discussion. As a Thai with an experience living abroad, I must say I agree to the Ministry of Culture, but to some extent.

I am not sure if those of you who can read or understand Thai have noticed what and how some Thai mass newspapers exploit news (or non-news) and put on their front page (not to mention inside). Many of them are over-sensationalized and some times downright so exploitative that I question if they ever have some journalistic responsibilities. I mean for both sex and violence related news. They often depict images of sensual women with seductive pose or sexy attire on the front page, so big it covers almost half the whole page, for no apparent reason except to just sell the paper. How about the candid violent images, i.e. death, accidents, victims of sexual assault, you name it, they display carelessly on their front page? Unfortunately, there seems to be more influx of those paparazzi tabloids/magazines, and sadder still, they seem to become more popular. These are just the tips of the iceberg.

Now on television, particularly free public TV, if you think a lot on American TV are trashed, then you have seen nothing yet on Thai TV. It is full of garbage for the brain. No wonder we are still a "developing" country and that questions me how "developing" we are. Most programs on TV have no value whatsoever except to solicit some laughter, and many times you have to laugh, not with them, but at them for their stupidity. There, however, are some really good programs, for example some educational documentary programs on Channel 9, but they are often relegated to the "non-prime time" time slot. I have seen some great educational and wonderful children programs that are shown at too early hour of the day that I wonder if anybody at all would wake up to see them. Sadly, most popular programs are either melodrama soaps (where women are chasing after the same man--oh, please he is not even worth your cat-fight) or comedies (with lame gags or physical jokes) or game shows (that require "celebrity" players). There is even a joke going around that spells out the rigid formula for these shows, especially the over-the-top Thai soaps. I often wonder what a foreigner would think of Thailand when they watch these shows and whether this would affect how they understand the country and the people.

I was often told that the reason most Thais, especially the underprivileged, the undereducated, or the rural local, (but many middle class/educated workers are not completely off the hook either), like to watch these kinds of garbage is because their lives are hard and stressful enough. So much so that they just want to escape to fantasy and entertainment. Granted, there is some truth to it, but I also think the producers of these programs need to consider their responsibilities to the society. Not everything has to be about profits. At the very least, try to find a way to put out some good programs to successfully counter the balance and offer viewers an alternative. I believe Thais are intelligent enough and deserve more than what they are offered now.

Most importantly, though, I still believe it is mainly parental responsibilities to screen what their children should read and view, be it from print media, television, or internet. They can't deny that responsibility. I know it is an almost-impossibly tough job, and I salute them for it. But realistically, I think others should help out, too. At least, assist or simplify the way for parents to monitor their children. The solution is definitely not to ban everything "they" perceive to be inappropriate. We don't need a "Big Brother". We just need assistance from time to time.

Adults also need to step up and be a good role model for children (well, at least be honest), to educate them appropriately about sex. There is nothing wrong or to be ashamed of about sex itself. Somehow, people always associate sex with other vices like violence or abuse, but it is the violence that is not, in any circumstance, acceptable.

I have to agree with everything here, but that sad fact is that as long as people keeping buying it, publishers will keep printing it. Why change something that works and makes money?

Some of the violent images published in Thailand would never be allowed in other parts of the world, so perhaps some kind of self-censorship from the Thai media might work before it is forced on them.

[astral]

Many parents have abdicated their responsibilities

at the behest of PC brigade, who are always on about Children's Rights.

Children have to be guided and taught, not just "given their own space........"

and left too it.

[Tony Clifton]

Here's how they make "foie gras".

The same basic force feeding technique is used by tv and radio stations across the planet.

[kevc]

One thing always bugs me about Thai dramas, if they can't show alchohol posters, bottles, or it being drunk as well as knives pointed at peoples throats why do the makers insist on putting them in only to be blanked out and spoil the show ( if thats possible)

[britmaveric]

Well last time I checked this is the responsibility of the parents.

[Jet Gorgon]

Seems to be too much senseless comedy on TV, sensationalism in the local papers with full frontal shots of murder victims, and lots of porn on the video rental shelves. I know only one Thai who reads books, even if they are American spy thriller translations. That boggles me the most -- few local folks read books.

Outside of the cities books in Thai are nearly impossible to find and at 300 baht plus each, often outside the budget of the average Thai person.

Didn't know the prices went up. When I stayed at Suncliff, Haadrin, the Thai daughter there read books all day. Translated pop fiction. She said they were about Bt50, but that was several years ago. Pity.

[The Skipper]

The ban should begin with the MTV on the Skytrain, Agreed?

Edited January 10, 2007 by The Skipper

[Jet Gorgon]

The ban should begin with the MTV on the Skytrain, Agreed?

Coool! I'm moving to BKK.