A foreigner’s perspective on 2019 – the media

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OPINION

 

A foreigner’s perspective on 2019 – the media

 

©Sam McGhee

 

In this final foreigner’s retrospective on Thailand in 2019, I offer an insider’s view of the state of electronic media in the country and, in particular, I attempt to explain the digital TV debacle and why some good may, or may not emerge from it. I will also look at “fake news”, how it is connected and the response to it.

 

For the purposes of this article, I am going to focus on news, in all its forms. After 25 years in Thailand, I still cannot appreciate the entertainment content provided by Thai broadcasters, primarily because I am not the intended audience. News, on the other hand, is less sensitive to cultural diversity, censorship notwithstanding, and provides a better means of comparison between platforms, countries and regulators.

 

For the uninitiated, a brief primer on broadcast media is essential. I will avoid as much jargon as possible and will explain that which is unavoidable.

Conventional terrestrial television and radio services have been delivered over the air to viewers and listeners using specific frequencies, or channels. This is where the expressions “on the air” and “airwaves” come from. The specific channels used for this purpose are defined under international laws and agreements and are limited by law and physics.

 

Full story: https://www.thaipbsworld.com/a-foreigners-perspective-on-2019-the-media/

 

-- © Copyright Thai PBS 2020-01-02

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[Boon Mee]

It doesn't get any better than the soaps on Channel 3! ????