Thai Media Assuming Role As Promoter Of Morality

[webfact]

Media assuming role as promoter of morality

By Chuleeporn Aramnet

The Nation

Published on January 21, 2010

Public consciousness was the ethic most promoted by the media, but their effort to inculcate morality in society was handicapped by the lack of a focused policy from the government, a study has found.

Santad Thongrin, a mass communications lecturer at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, said yesterday that all targeted groups told researchers that they were exposed to the morality message via TV the most.

They heard about honesty the most frequently from the media, while parents and relatives had the most influence in face-to-face communications.

TV targeted youths and the general public in equally large numbers, while newspapers targeted adults and radio had no specific audience group.

Newspapers were more direct in sending morality-boosting messages while TV and radio were more discreet by inserting messages in programme contents.

The research sponsored by the Centre for the Promotion of National Strength on Moral Ethics and Values studied all types of media materials with morality-boosting contents and interviewed 732 respondents from 1997-2008.

The media's presentation took two angles. One was inserting brief, simple, fun and not-too-academic messages with language relevant to the targeted groups into the content.

The other was having content praise doers of good deeds as well as the action of doing good deeds, which was also in line with the present time's important incidents.

Some media models for encouraging righteous behaviour were the "Khon Kon Khon" TV life documentary series, the "Pathakathadham" Sunday Dhamma radio show, the book titled "Dhamma Tid Peek" and individual presenter Phra Maha Wutthichai Wachirametee.

The media's playing a major role in moral ethics promotion was due to the lack of power and the lack of a main agency to be responsible for this matter.

The researchers urged the government to put moral ethics promotion on the national agenda, ensure thorough study of moral issues and set up an organisation responsible for this matter.

The government should also provide media guidelines for morality promotion projects, use state-run media to take the lead, fund activities organised by the media and offer tax incentives to media promoting moral ethics.

Santad also called on the government to adjust morality promotion to be appropriate to the local media, add virtue promotion to policy/school curriculum so youths were skilled in seeing through the media, and create a network with media agencies to formulate virtue-promoting policies.

-- The Nation 2010-01-21

[newsfooter][/newsfooter]

[mojaco]

Until those in seats of power demonstrate that THEY are moral, I doubt Thai people are influenced by what the media "teaches" about morality.

[Hardback]

Do a search and see who actually owns most of the media outlets in this country starting with radio and television and you'll see why such messages are being promulgated. In 2009 as private companies cut back on their advertising/PR spending it was the government who dominated (through ISOC) spending in this sector.

So, when the majority of media outlets are state controlled and the state is spending vast amounts of money on spin, "news" and campaigns (remember MOSO?) add in vested interests and the news isn't so surprising.

Now you could always argue that the promotion of morality is a government job and it makes sense but when you look at the people who are pushing this message and how they operate it kind of makes one feel sick.

[sunsamourai]

Media assuming role as promoter of morality

Public consciousness was the ethic most promoted by the media,

but their effort to inculcate morality in society was handicapped by the lack of a focused policy from the government

WooOOooohhh !!!!!

Can't read any more, I'd die laughing !!!!

[slapout]

Well when the committee can only manage to interview 732 people over a 11 year period, my guess is they are not on the fast track to a successful suggestion much less a solution. Besides, who determined that the morals of the Thai people need adjusting anyway?

[Hardback]

Well when the committee can only manage to interview 732 people over a 11 year period, my guess is they are not on the fast track to a successful suggestion much less a solution. Besides, who determined that the morals of the Thai people need adjusting anyway?

And who determines what is "good" and "right"?

[mca]

Some media models for encouraging righteous behaviour were the "Khon Kon Khon" TV life documentary series

With total viewing figures of 5 (a family of 4 in Saraburi and their dog).

Meanwhile, the latest Ann Tomprason soap opera, which reflects true real life for the majority of Thais and morals for all to follow including most people being half western, teenagers driving brand new Porsches, houses that would turn Tony Montana green with envy, unbridled jealousy and materialism, sexy women acting as if they are bi-polar, schitzoid and any other mental illness in the book, assaults on women by their boyfriends (but all is forgiven in the end because the guy's misunderstood), police officers acting professionally and for a bit of light relief a sterotypical Isaan maid to add a comic element received a record number of viewers on it's opening night.

[Hardback]

Some media models for encouraging righteous behaviour were the "Khon Kon Khon" TV life documentary series

With total viewing figures of 5 (a family of 4 in Saraburi and their dog).

Meanwhile, the latest Ann Tomprason soap opera, which reflects true real life for the majority of Thais and morals for all to follow including most people being half western, teenagers driving brand new Porsches, houses that would turn Tony Montana green with envy, unbridled jealousy and materialism, sexy women acting as if they are bi-polar, schitzoid and any other mental illness in the book, assaults on women by their boyfriends (but all is forgiven in the end because the guy's misunderstood), police officers acting professionally and for a bit of light relief a sterotypical Isaan maid to add a comic element received a record number of viewers on it's opening night.

Well put.

Edited January 21, 2010 by Hardback

[Teddy3943]

Public consciousness was the ethic most promoted by the media, but their effort to inculcate morality in society was handicapped by the lack of a focused policy from the government, a study has found.

This sounds familiar. I have the impression that on more issues there is a lack of a focussed policy. In the Thai's social behavior there is a lot of decorum of submittedness, there is also polite speaking, but in the behavior of drivers in the traffic one sees an enormous contradiction. As soon as a Thai steps in a car he/she becomes a soldier who's involved in a war. All friendly and polite behavior is gone. The law of the jungle prevails. This traffic war cost a lot of casualties, but there is no focussed policy in none of the media...

[Thai at Heart]

They actually paid someone to study that television and other media can influence people. And not only did they pay, they studied this amazing phenomenon for over 10 years, by working extremely hard and interviewing a grand number of 700 odd people.

I smell a pooyai about to hold court on their soapbox.

Santad also called on the government to adjust morality promotion to be appropriate to the local media, add virtue promotion to policy/school curriculum so youths were skilled in seeing through the media, and create a network with media agencies to formulate virtue-promoting policies.

But if the people were able to "see through" the media, how would the media be able to influence them?

[Meridian007]

It tends to happen everywhere, but if they really want to push a mandate, they should do it through the soap operas. As Mca lists, there are already a lot of social stereotypes portrayed, it would be easy to slip anything they want into it. I think it is the main re-enforcer of the idea that Thais must know their place socially, as well as gender roles.

Propaganda is a great way to keep the status quo! Opiate of the masses indeed!

[mythBuster]

As long as immoral behavior is king in Thai soaps, the general public have no problem with stealing businessmen, husbands beating up their women, and forced prostitution. Just to mention a few. From Thai journalists one cannot expect too much. They are not trained in investigative journalism. They have no trouble sitting in, in a press conference and simple writing down what someone reads aloud. Journalists are intellectually lazy over here. Creative people (screenwriters) should know better and have quicker results.

[Thanh-BKK]

Some media models for encouraging righteous behaviour were the "Khon Kon Khon" TV life documentary series

With total viewing figures of 5 (a family of 4 in Saraburi and their dog).

Meanwhile, the latest Ann Tomprason soap opera, which reflects true real life for the majority of Thais and morals for all to follow including most people being half western, teenagers driving brand new Porsches, houses that would turn Tony Montana green with envy, unbridled jealousy and materialism, sexy women acting as if they are bi-polar, schitzoid and any other mental illness in the book, assaults on women by their boyfriends (but all is forgiven in the end because the guy's misunderstood), police officers acting professionally and for a bit of light relief a sterotypical Isaan maid to add a comic element received a record number of viewers on it's opening night.

Hi.

Sorry for the off-topic post, but you forgot a few key elements of all (ALL!) Thai dsoap operas, apart from the ones you correctly listed.

1) Everyone, including the gardener, the kids and the dog, either own a gun or have access to one.

2) However the only person able to actually hit someone with a gun is the money-crazed female (not the cops or the good guy)

3) Said female is ALWAYS easy to spot for her fire-red lipstick that she wears 24/7

4) Bad people won't die even with 27 bullets in them. At least they live long enough to reveal the whole story (usually in final episode) with lots of tears

5) However the good guy who got hit by a single ricochet bullet dies immediately with large amounts of blood gushing from his mouth (even if hit in the left foot)

6) Porsches, S-Classes etc are always slower than beat-up pickup trucks or Toyota Corollas

7) Porsches, S-Classes etc always run into trees when trying to out-maneuver said pickups or Corollas.

8) Those crashes are never heavy enough to cause damage to the car, however the driver and front passenger are always badly injured or dead (airbags never deploy either)

9) All cell phones are of the same brand (sponsor of the soap opera) and use the same ringtone (usually a Nokia-default-tone even if the phones are Samsungs)

10) Don't forget the token khatoey to accompany the Lao or Burmese hilltribe housekeeper/servant!

Sadly, Thais are addicted to that crap..... i know because i live with one who won't miss even one episode of those soaps.

Best regards.....

Thanh

[jontom]

Some media models for encouraging righteous behaviour were the "Khon Kon Khon" TV life documentary series

With total viewing figures of 5 (a family of 4 in Saraburi and their dog).

Meanwhile, the latest Ann Tomprason soap opera, which reflects true real life for the majority of Thais and morals for all to follow including most people being half western, teenagers driving brand new Porsches, houses that would turn Tony Montana green with envy, unbridled jealousy and materialism, sexy women acting as if they are bi-polar, schitzoid and any other mental illness in the book, assaults on women by their boyfriends (but all is forgiven in the end because the guy's misunderstood), police officers acting professionally and for a bit of light relief a sterotypical Isaan maid to add a comic element received a record number of viewers on it's opening night.

boiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnggggggggggg!

Hi.

Sorry for the off-topic post, but you forgot a few key elements of all (ALL!) Thai dsoap operas, apart from the ones you correctly listed.

1) Everyone, including the gardener, the kids and the dog, either own a gun or have access to one.

2) However the only person able to actually hit someone with a gun is the money-crazed female (not the cops or the good guy)

3) Said female is ALWAYS easy to spot for her fire-red lipstick that she wears 24/7

4) Bad people won't die even with 27 bullets in them. At least they live long enough to reveal the whole story (usually in final episode) with lots of tears

5) However the good guy who got hit by a single ricochet bullet dies immediately with large amounts of blood gushing from his mouth (even if hit in the left foot)

6) Porsches, S-Classes etc are always slower than beat-up pickup trucks or Toyota Corollas

7) Porsches, S-Classes etc always run into trees when trying to out-maneuver said pickups or Corollas.

8) Those crashes are never heavy enough to cause damage to the car, however the driver and front passenger are always badly injured or dead (airbags never deploy either)

9) All cell phones are of the same brand (sponsor of the soap opera) and use the same ringtone (usually a Nokia-default-tone even if the phones are Samsungs)

10) Don't forget the token khatoey to accompany the Lao or Burmese hilltribe housekeeper/servant!

Sadly, Thais are addicted to that crap..... i know because i live with one who won't miss even one episode of those soaps.

Best regards.....

Thanh

[jontom]

Some media models for encouraging righteous behaviour were the "Khon Kon Khon" TV life documentary series

With total viewing figures of 5 (a family of 4 in Saraburi and their dog).

Meanwhile, the latest Ann Tomprason soap opera, which reflects true real life for the majority of Thais and morals for all to follow including most people being half western, teenagers driving brand new Porsches, houses that would turn Tony Montana green with envy, unbridled jealousy and materialism, sexy women acting as if they are bi-polar, schitzoid and any other mental illness in the book, assaults on women by their boyfriends (but all is forgiven in the end because the guy's misunderstood), police officers acting professionally and for a bit of light relief a sterotypical Isaan maid to add a comic element received a record number of viewers on it's opening night.

boiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnggggggggggg!

Hi.

Sorry for the off-topic post, but you forgot a few key elements of all (ALL!) Thai dsoap operas, apart from the ones you correctly listed.

1) Everyone, including the gardener, the kids and the dog, either own a gun or have access to one.

2) However the only person able to actually hit someone with a gun is the money-crazed female (not the cops or the good guy)

3) Said female is ALWAYS easy to spot for her fire-red lipstick that she wears 24/7

4) Bad people won't die even with 27 bullets in them. At least they live long enough to reveal the whole story (usually in final episode) with lots of tears

5) However the good guy who got hit by a single ricochet bullet dies immediately with large amounts of blood gushing from his mouth (even if hit in the left foot)

6) Porsches, S-Classes etc are always slower than beat-up pickup trucks or Toyota Corollas

7) Porsches, S-Classes etc always run into trees when trying to out-maneuver said pickups or Corollas.

8) Those crashes are never heavy enough to cause damage to the car, however the driver and front passenger are always badly injured or dead (airbags never deploy either)

9) All cell phones are of the same brand (sponsor of the soap opera) and use the same ringtone (usually a Nokia-default-tone even if the phones are Samsungs)

10) Don't forget the token khatoey to accompany the Lao or Burmese hilltribe housekeeper/servant!

Sadly, Thais are addicted to that crap..... i know because i live with one who won't miss even one episode of those soaps.

Best regards.....

Thanh

Sorry about the boiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnggggggggggggggggggg! being in the wrong place but I thought you forgot to mention the hilarious sound effects used in Thai TV ooohhhhhhhhhhhhhooooooooooooooooooo! gunfire ricochet..................

[WeeGB]

Thanks for the interesting post, meridian007, I'll be spending the morning trying to track down if the book is available in Thailand. Must get around to reading Huxley as well.

Back on topic, it amazes me that Thai people are addicted to these trashy soaps. The only people with brown skin are servants, who seem to spend all of their time on their knees, because they're lower in status than the hi-so's, ( or should that be so and so's?). I find these shows so annoying, the bad guys/girls invariably wear black (!), it's the same old faces in every soap, the actors speak to themselves, to fill out the plot, (a certifiable act in most countries), and the general Thai population don't feature at all.

There was a news item, a while ago, where the government had ordered the TV companies to tone down the lack of morals on these soaps, I seem to remember they were concerned about women on women violence, but nothing seems to have changed - still the same old slappers doing the same old slapping. (Boing!)

As for the "token" khatooeys, is there a law that every hi-so family has to have one?

I really thought "reality' TV was bad, but bears-no-resemblance-to-reality TV is worse.

[Fishbucket]

The thai media really ought to grow some balls and give over pratting around with these things.

As the abisit corrupt government continues its human rights abuses to the point of extermination of any political opposition, or dissenting voice, the only obstacle to a slide to complete fascism will be the media.

So take your place in the bubbling cauldron and show these oppressors your impartiality and independance.

[zzaa09]

The thai media really ought to grow some balls and give over pratting around with these things.

As the abisit corrupt government continues its human rights abuses to the point of extermination of any political opposition, or dissenting voice, the only obstacle to a slide to complete fascism will be the media.

So take your place in the bubbling cauldron and show these oppressors your impartiality and independance.

These activities are not a recent nor contemporary item. It's been on for decades. As most are not knowledgeable regarding Thai contemporary history...