Mcot Told Not To Broadcast Thaksin's Remarks

[webfact]

MCOT told not to broadcast Thaksin's remarks

By The Nation

Published on September 8, 2009

PM's Office Minister Satit Wongnongtaey has told MCOT, the state-run media company under his supervision, not to allow fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra's

comments on air again, saying they were a threat to peace.

He said a recent interview by Thaksin on a radio programme had a "direct impact" on the country and could worsen the current political situation as the ex-leader made negative comments against Thailand, the Privy Council and the justice system.

"MCOT should have measures to prevent such an incident from happening again. Thaksin, a fugitive convict, should not be allowed to use state media to interfere with the country's peace," Satit said.

He was referring to the programme on the MCOT-run FM 100.5 MHz radio station on Sunday, hosted by Jom Petpradab, who previously worked at iTV when it was owned by Thaksin's family.

Satit said yesterday he would allow MCOT executives to decide what to do and he would not intervene.

MCOT vice president for radio and special affairs, Somjit Chinsomboon, said the management had not decided whether to remove Jom as programme host.

Jom yesterday issued a statement insisting he did his job in the public interest. "But if my work was understood as political, I am very sorry for it. For preventing any problems to MCOT staff, I will stop hosting the programme from today," he said.

Thaksin yesterday deplored the government's alleged intervention in the state media.

"After my interview with Khun Jom, I hear the government ordered investigation and an embargo. How free they said the media are! The government should not fear the truth," read a Thai message on Thaksin's Twitter social-networking account.

During the interview, Thaksin tried to clear his name against allegations and rumours, including speculation he had cancer.

At a senatorial meeting in Parliament yesterday, a group of senators criticised the state-funded TV Thai for broadcasting a special report about Thaksin's diamond mining business in Africa.

Appointed Senator Sukanya Sudbantad, former dean of Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Communication Arts, said the station was supposed to present unbiased content but an evaluation committee had found a lack of neutrality in TV Thai.

Prasan Marukapitak, another appointed senator, expressed concern the report about Thaksin could cause public confusion. Somchai Sawangkan, fellow appointed member of the Senate, said the report indicated the station had become a tool for Thaksin's propaganda campaign.

Bangkok Senator Rosana Tositrakul said she agreed to present stories from both sides of a conflict, but she saw no benefit in allowing an exchange of arguments and accusations on air.

Kirkkiat Pipatseritham, station board chairman, insisted on TV Thai's neutrality and freedom of reporting without political intervention.

Thepchai Yong, the station's director, said the special report about diamond mining was aimed at telling the problem of "blood diamonds" in Africa, where mining is done in a war zone and finances the conflict. He said footage of Thaksin's comment was shown in order to present the other side of the story, although he admitted the ex-leader could capitalise on the opportunity.

-- The Nation 2009/08/09

[hammered]

Bit of a silly reaction imho. Sure point out that the interviewer is a Thaksin sympathiser and Thaksin is his ex-boss and obviosuly the whiole thing is a set up. Even question whether Jom is some Jakrapob wannabe (who also launched an ailing career with a sycophantic interview of Thaksin). However, to ban the thing is not only counterproductive but also has shall we say a few free speech implications.

[Thailand]

"PM's Office Minister Satit Wongnongtaey has told MCOT, the state-run media company under his supervision, not to allow fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra's

comments on air again, saying they were a threat to peace."

"Satit said yesterday he would allow MCOT executives to decide what to do and he would not intervene."

Which is it?

Counterproductive I feel.

Freedomless press on the way?

[marsteele]

All communist countries restrict or prohibit freedom of speech or personal views

[barry]

maybe thaksin can move to england or the u.s. and

have his own reality tv show

[Mai Krap]

Good luck on shutting this guy up!

[coalminer]

He said a recent interview by Thaksin on a radio programme had a "direct impact" on the country and could worsen the current political situation as the ex-leader made negative comments against Thailand, the Privy Council and the justice system.

Thaksin's speach has indeed a "direct impact" on the country with his negative comments about the "justice system".

How dares Thaiksin to question the integrity of a "Justice system" which is able to catch and punish within a few hours everything a Red Shirt does, but is unable to bring the PAD to Justice for their crimes against the nation.

How dares Thaiksin to question the integrity of a "Justice system" which is able to catch and punish within a few hours the people behind the attack on a PAD leader, but is unable to bring the PAD leaders to Justice for their crimes against the nation.

Cutting freee speech as well??????????

There is little left for Absint what is damaging this country ...........

THAILAND?????????????????

BURMA WITHE ELECTRICITY

Edited September 8, 2009 by webfact
quote changed back to original

[Changian]

From an interview with Satit in the Bangkok Post in May 2009

Have you ever felt that you are not in full control of the media, even though you are the minister in charge of looking after the media?

Sathit: Our approach in looking after the media is different from that of the Thaksin government. The Thaksin government had interfered with the media and dictated to them to make them serve its needs. But we choose not to do so. Instead, we seek cooperation and are taking a more relaxed approach.

Abhisit speaking at the 10th Anniversary of the Asia News Network in March 2009, reported by The Nation

The Prime Minister lamented that there have been a decline on the relationship between the media and the government. Journalists often find themselves at odds with government officials.

"I have every intention to reverse that trend," he (Abhisit) said.

[Chris Lawrence]

Yeah, I usually post in the joke section....... but I got this!

[Arkady]

I am surprised they didn't block it for contempt of court. Thaksin apparently criticised the Supreme Court for convicting him for the trivial matter of giving spousal consent to his wife's land purchase from a state agency in a rigged auction at an artificial low price when he was prime minister. Under Thai law criticising a court decision is for better or worse a criminal offence.

[Gary A]

What would you expect from a government that was put in power with mob rule? This government, if you can call it a government owes the yellow shirts big time and MUST protect them.

[Arkady]

How dares Thaiksin to question the integrity of a "Justice system" which is able to catch and punish within a few hours everything a Red Shirt does, but is unable to bring the PAD to Justice for their crimes against the nation.

When did this happen? The police investigation into the assassination attempt on Sondhi seems stonewalled by Thaksinites in the force. No one has been punished.

Edited September 8, 2009 by Arkady

[alf75]

MCOT told not to broadcast Thaksin's remarks

By The Nation

Published on September 8, 2009

PM's Office Minister Satit Wongnongtaey has told MCOT, the state-run media company under his supervision, not to allow fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra's

comments on air again, saying they were a threat to peace.

He said a recent interview by Thaksin on a radio programme had a "direct impact" on the country and could worsen the current political situation as the ex-leader made negative comments against Thailand, the Privy Council and the justice system.

"MCOT should have measures to prevent such an incident from happening again. Thaksin, a fugitive convict, should not be allowed to use state media to interfere with the country's peace," Satit said.

He was referring to the programme on the MCOT-run FM 100.5 MHz radio station on Sunday, hosted by Jom Petpradab, who previously worked at iTV when it was owned by Thaksin's family.

Satit said yesterday he would allow MCOT executives to decide what to do and he would not intervene.

MCOT vice president for radio and special affairs, Somjit Chinsomboon, said the management had not decided whether to remove Jom as programme host.

Jom yesterday issued a statement insisting he did his job in the public interest. "But if my work was understood as political, I am very sorry for it. For preventing any problems to MCOT staff, I will stop hosting the programme from today," he said.

Thaksin yesterday deplored the government's alleged intervention in the state media.

"After my interview with Khun Jom, I hear the government ordered investigation and an embargo. How free they said the media are! The government should not fear the truth," read a Thai message on Thaksin's Twitter social-networking account.

During the interview, Thaksin tried to clear his name against allegations and rumours, including speculation he had cancer.

At a senatorial meeting in Parliament yesterday, a group of senators criticised the state-funded TV Thai for broadcasting a special report about Thaksin's diamond mining business in Africa.

Appointed Senator Sukanya Sudbantad, former dean of Chulalongkorn University's Faculty of Communication Arts, said the station was supposed to present unbiased content but an evaluation committee had found a lack of neutrality in TV Thai.

Prasan Marukapitak, another appointed senator, expressed concern the report about Thaksin could cause public confusion. Somchai Sawangkan, fellow appointed member of the Senate, said the report indicated the station had become a tool for Thaksin's propaganda campaign.

Bangkok Senator Rosana Tositrakul said she agreed to present stories from both sides of a conflict, but she saw no benefit in allowing an exchange of arguments and accusations on air.

Kirkkiat Pipatseritham, station board chairman, insisted on TV Thai's neutrality and freedom of reporting without political intervention.

Thepchai Yong, the station's director, said the special report about diamond mining was aimed at telling the problem of "blood diamonds" in Africa, where mining is done in a war zone and finances the conflict. He said footage of Thaksin's comment was shown in order to present the other side of the story, although he admitted the ex-leader could capitalise on the opportunity.

-- The Nation 2009/08/09

[lowbo]

... not that I'd understand what he would say in an interview to a Thai media station, but I FIRMLY beleive there is two sides to every story... like it or not, this move further increases the Dem's ability to stifle any apposing views.

[Plus]

Jom and his bosses at Mcot were probably just testing the water.

They, of all people, know how to abuse their positions and cry about media freedom at the same time. These guys never ran a politically unbiased story in their lives.

Perhaps they thought if Democrats are not ordering to run any propaganda they can start working for the old boss.

Satit had to put them in place.

All this complaining about media freedom is for internet junkies consumption only.

[john b good]

Bit of a silly reaction imho. Sure point out that the interviewer is a Thaksin sympathiser and Thaksin is his ex-boss and obviosuly the whiole thing is a set up. Even question whether Jom is some Jakrapob wannabe (who also launched an ailing career with a sycophantic interview of Thaksin). However, to ban the thing is not only counterproductive but also has shall we say a few free speech implications.

I believe it is justified. And well past being due.

Thaksin has one agenda and one agenda only and that is to destroy Thailand. (or the result will surely be the destruction of the realm)

People who talk of freedom of speech or freedomless of speech are talking out of their fundamental orifice.

Thailand is on the brink of civil war and some are still seeking to justify the actions of this megalomaniac.

There are none so blind as those who do not want to see.

Go to this link < "http://www.chiangmainews.com/ecmn/viewfa.php?id=2637" > and you will see the type of mindless, brainless, gormless, and brain washed people who this man has recruited.

They should all have been at Jonestown, Guyana with Jim Jones.

Edited September 8, 2009 by john b good

[hammered]

Jom and his bosses at Mcot were probably just testing the water.

They, of all people, know how to abuse their positions and cry about media freedom at the same time. These guys never ran a politically unbiased story in their lives.

Perhaps they thought if Democrats are not ordering to run any propaganda they can start working for the old boss.

Satit had to put them in place.

All this complaining about media freedom is for internet junkies consumption only.

Politically you are spot on. The upcoming reshuffles will ocncentrate on moving opponents of the current government and in many places right now there remain many bureaucrats who owe their position and allegiance to the Thaksin supporting governments. They are having their last hurrah before inevitably being sidelined unless a game changing event can be pulled. I wouldnt doubt that they receive some urging from those they owe allegiance to too. That is just realpolitik.

[Insight]

As stated by another poster on a previous thread (apologies for not quoting by name), if this was a high-profile fugitive of the law from any other western country who was using state-run media to air their views, too bloody right the governments involved would want to know how it happened and who was involved.

No big deal, nothing to see here. Except by making a big hoo-haa about it we're playing right into The Next President's plans...

[flyfrog]

maybe thaksin can move to england or the u.s. and

have his own reality tv show

They should put this guy on an island on water and bread, cause of him and his red shirts, Thailand tourisme is way down and we loose a lot of income

[eggomaniac]

How many PM's of Thailand lasted a full term?

Hint - only 1.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Prime...ers_of_Thailand

Thaksin was only a small part of the problem, not THE problem.

Democracy has been a monumental flop in some cases, in particular, Thailand.

[Thai at Heart]

All very counterproductive.

I think a policy of "No comment, I am getting on with running the country." from Abhisit in particular maybe a better way forward. Every time Thaksin opens his trap the government starts asking "How high shall I jump now?"

It is indeed odd that he was approached by a State TV station, but TIT after all. I don't see how this could have really destabilised the country, but then I'm not running the country from a re-active mindset. No amount of censorship and invoking "security" is going to make this situation go away and in this situation serves to illustrate that the media could be under the thumb of the government.

[Gianni77]

Run a pro-Thaksin interview in a government ran station is, for lack of a better word, retarded... unless this Jom guy got a juicy Thaksin-bonus for that. Something like that means he'll lose his job for sure, but if he was well paid, then he must be even happy now... all speculations, but it wouldn't be the first time Mr. T does something like that

Even though I'm totally in favor of freedom of speech, I'd even ban myself a convicted criminal on the run from broadcasting anything in the country, not only Mr. T, but any convicted criminal.

Have a nice day everyone.

[Brewsta]

All communist countries restrict or prohibit freedom of speech or personal views

I understood that KhunT was still being 'declined entry to the UK' ; as for the USA. no info.

LOS Socialist, like la belle France?...... Red like NK.....?? more the former, IMHO..

rgdz,

Brewsta

[peacefulwarrior]

Jom and his bosses at Mcot were probably just testing the water.

They, of all people, know how to abuse their positions and cry about media freedom at the same time. These guys never ran a politically unbiased story in their lives.

Perhaps they thought if Democrats are not ordering to run any propaganda they can start working for the old boss.

Satit had to put them in place.

All this complaining about media freedom is for internet junkies consumption only.

LOL LOL LOL

Yeah, 'the democrats are not ordering propaganda' - So what about the fake attack on Abhisit's car? The blue shirts in Pattaya, the complete backing of the power to be by media showing him everywhere giving 'encouraging' speeches on all topics but what the real situation is.

These gangsters finally managed to play the big game called G20... and if you are of this magnitude, nothing is left to 'coincidences'. And so you just need like the US had their Saddam's and Osama's somebody who is outside the system being a 'threat', producing controversy but just distracting from the stinking fish head.

All these democratic systems are wonderful fakes, keeping people in oblivion, having to choose one side and opposing the other. This is the game of the oligarchs which names haven't changed neither in this country nor in the others where families can run a state for some 60 years, see Singapore.

It does not matter if you are yellow shirt or red shirt supporter. You will always just be the pawn and suffer for the plans of the families who choose at time if democrats/republicans are giving the short handle for 4 years. It's ILLUSION of the biggest proportion.

Forget the color revolutions and the other B$

It's about the haves and have not's that's all that matters.

And it seems they breed those deceivers in places like Oxford, Princeton and Yale, where the 'haves' mingle and decide the next game.

Look through it.

P.S. and if you get lost watching the game all day you might miss one of those wonderful sunsets by the sea...

[webfact]

//General Notice//

Please use original names when referring to a person.

It will reduce the risk to have a posting deleted

Thanks for your cooperation!

Webfact

[fxe1200]

What would you expect from a government that was put in power with mob rule? This government, if you can call it a government owes the yellow shirts big time and MUST protect them.

...you are absolutely right. Only the yellow mob made it possible, that the vote buying ruling party finally had to step down. We remember, that the ECs ruling to do so was done in May 2008. It took five months of protest and peaceful demonstrations for the yellow mob to learn, that those, who broke the constitutional law, will rather change the constitution and cling to power, than stepping down. The yellow mob finally decided to walk to the airport. And they did a successful job. They forced the lawbreakers out of the government. That is practised democracy. Sure thing, that those, who saved the leftovers of democracy in Thailand, deserve protection.

[wackysleet]

maybe thaksin can move to england or the u.s. and

have his own reality tv show

They should put this guy on an island on water and bread, cause of him and his red shirts, Thailand tourisme is way down and we loose a lot of income

What a load of old &lt;deleted&gt;, tourism has gone down dramatically in the last couple of years even without the global recession and it has nothing to do with Thaksin {and I'm not a supporter} this government has done sod all to curb the scams going on, even going as far as admitting they are incapable of clearing the crooks out of the airport. Instead of moving corrupt officials into other equally lucrative posts they should be sacked and prosecuted and the injustices that are going on should be righted but they wont because this society is founded on corruption and graft.

[grandpops]

maybe thaksin can move to england or the u.s. and

have his own reality tv show

They should put this guy on an island on water and bread, cause of him and his red shirts, Thailand tourisme is way down and we loose a lot of income

Which brainwashing cycle did they have you on?

I seem to remember the airport closures as being at the start of the high season, shattering all our hopes. The Songkran problem was much later, far to late to cause the damage to the country on a similar scale to the PAD.

If you think you lost money because of Thaksin, you are obviously not a business man and will undoutedly loose much more until you and many more like you wise up.

If you want to see damage to the country just wait until Thaksins parties win the next rigged election and the current coup plotters have to coup in the open... Thats when Thailand will loose money on a grand scale. They do not qualify for money from the US at the momemt, but as they have disguiesed the coup as a Democrat government, they are getting away with it for now.

[animatic]

Seditious talks should not be on public airwaves.

This order ONLY applies to one person Thaksin.

I don't think my company taxes should pay for Thaksin to inflame the public.

Let him buy time on non-pubilc airwaves if he wants, as he does.

He is a runaway convict from justice,

and is trying to bring down the government.

This is not about free speech, but aiding and abetting sedition.

[wackysleet]

What would you expect from a government that was put in power with mob rule? This government, if you can call it a government owes the yellow shirts big time and MUST protect them.

...you are absolutely right. Only the yellow mob made it possible, that the vote buying ruling party finally had to step down. We remember, that the ECs ruling to do so was done in May 2008. It took five months of protest and peaceful demonstrations for the yellow mob to learn, that those, who broke the constitutional law, will rather change the constitution and cling to power, than stepping down. The yellow mob finally decided to walk to the airport. And they did a successful job. They forced the lawbreakers out of the government. That is practised democracy. Sure thing, that those, who saved the leftovers of democracy in Thailand, deserve protection.

And just who do you think financed the yellow shirts? democracy is the law of the majority and should be achieved via the ballot box and true democracy is a long way from reality here in Thailand. The real pandemic gripping the country is not swine flu but corruption.