Thai Govt All Set To Control Media In Every Way

[webfact]

BURNING ISSUE

Govt all set to control media in every way

Piyanart Srivalo

The Nation

It is customary for a government to use state-run media as its mouthpiece, only this time, political opponents and the parliamentary opposition are being blocked from being given any coverage.

PM's Office Minister Kritsana Seehalak, who has become a Cabinet member for the first time, oversees the state-run media organisations, namely MCOT and the Public Relations Department, which operate Modernine and NBT television channels respectively in addition to several radio stations nationwide.

Kritsana appointed Wim Rungwattanajinda as her secretary. Wim, who has a background in the mass media, is a well-known figure among media professionals and recently made headlines for allegedly sending an e-mail to a figure in the ruling Pheu Thai Party in which he allegedly claimed to have bribed some reporters.

An investigation by the National Press Council found some ground to believe the claim was genuine, but the scandal ended up souring ties among several members of the organisation and Matichon, a key member, resigned in protest.

Wim, who is said to have won the trust of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, has retained close ties with many journalists, particularly those covering the movements of the ruling Pheu Thai Party.

"In fact, Wim was tipped to closely help with media affairs. But when he became the target of attack [after the e-mail scandal], his role was reduced due to fear of possible allegation of media intervention. So, he will not have much to do with the state media," a Pheu Thai source, who refused to be identified, said.

Now that Wim has become a "lightning rod", the government has to rely on other people to oversee the state media and it is believed that the job would be given to red-shirt leaders like Nattawut Saikua and Jatuporn Prompan, who are also Pheu Thai MPs.

The ruling party's strategists believe that the government should focus on a "proactive" media war in order to support the Yingluck government while warding off any attempt to discredit the administration. They agreed that Pheu Thai's political enemies have repeatedly attacked its weak points and therefore "prompt and decisive counterattacks" through the media is needed, so that it can retain public support and make the opposition Democrat Party's old wounds even deeper.

"Problematic" primetime shows on the NBT television channels, such as "Klai Pom" (Untying the Knots) and "Joh Khao Ron Luang Khao Luek" (Digging Deep into Hot News) which have been critical of Pheu Thai, its patriarch former PM Thaksin Shinawatra and the red shirts, will be removed.

The channel has decided that it will not be renewing airtime leases with the producers of these shows after their contract expires on October 1, because, as Kritsana explained, many viewers had complained about the programmes. She did not elaborate on the nature of these complaints.

As critics and opponents of the ruling party are being kicked out of NBT, businesses and individuals close to the ruling party and the red-shirt movement are quickly replacing them. These include Voice TV satellite-based television, which is owned by Thaksin's son Panthongtae, a production team led by Suparat Nakboonnam from the pro-Thaksin D-Station, the red shirts' Asia Update and Suranand Vejjajiva, who served at a PM's Office minister in Thaksin's government.

Kritsana, who oversees state media, dismissed criticism that the new producers had close ties with politicians in power, saying it was normal for Pheu Thai politicians to have good ties with many people.

At MCOT and Modernine, many members of the staff recently complained about what they described as unfair promotions of people who supported this government. People close to members of the ruling party have taken over as news editors, and even MCOT director, Thanawat Wansom, faces the threat of removal.

It appears the state media - funded by the taxpayer's money - is being used by politicians in power for their own benefit as the public interest continues being ignored.

-- The Nation 2011-09-29

[ralphlsasser]

TIT

[tragickingdom]

A typical dumb Nation article. Thailand has thousands of political prisoners and we all got them for free since the sponsors of the Nation which they welcomed so much were in power since 2006. No bad press from the elitist Nation however. Never any critical word when another academic was imprisoned or had to flee the country.

No word about all those broadcasters that had to feed the entire world with nonsense stories about the red shirts. All but a few channels on radio and TV are controlled by the army and by the government. Nothing new here.

Good news too for the Nation. They seem to be able to criticize the government, they would not have dared to do so under Abhisit. So there is more press freedom since a few months, at least sort of.

Do not read the Nation it is not a newspaper it is not worthy of using the word press or journalists, it is a newsletter.

[jonnog]

Is this an editorial or a "news" piece? For the Nation, I doubt whether they know the difference.

[Crushdepth]

A typical dumb Nation article. Thailand has thousands of political prisoners and we all got them for free since the sponsors of the Nation which they welcomed so much were in power since 2006. No bad press from the elitist Nation however. Never any critical word when another academic was imprisoned or had to flee the country.

No word about all those broadcasters that had to feed the entire world with nonsense stories about the red shirts. All but a few channels on radio and TV are controlled by the army and by the government. Nothing new here.

Good news too for the Nation. They seem to be able to criticize the government, they would not have dared to do so under Abhisit. So there is more press freedom since a few months, at least sort of.

Do not read the Nation it is not a newspaper it is not worthy of using the word press or journalists, it is a newsletter.

If you think press freedom is bad *now*, you've got a bit of a shock coming. You obviously weren't here last time the Shinawatras were running the show.

Edited September 29, 2011 by Crushdepth

[hungryhippo]

A typical dumb Nation article. Thailand has thousands of political prisoners and we all got them for free since the sponsors of the Nation which they welcomed so much were in power since 2006. No bad press from the elitist Nation however. Never any critical word when another academic was imprisoned or had to flee the country.

No word about all those broadcasters that had to feed the entire world with nonsense stories about the red shirts. All but a few channels on radio and TV are controlled by the army and by the government. Nothing new here.

Good news too for the Nation. They seem to be able to criticize the government, they would not have dared to do so under Abhisit. So there is more press freedom since a few months, at least sort of.

Do not read the Nation it is not a newspaper it is not worthy of using the word press or journalists, it is a newsletter.

The nation doesn't have any control over the government run television. Your response is typical of someone that attempts to find any reason to blame them. Also playing the "the last government was just as bad" card isn't convincing anyone but your local red shirt friends.

I guess the only good point you make is that you acknowledge that what the current government is doing is wrong even if you do attempt to point the finger at everyone else like a madman. It's obvious you don't remember 2005/6 when the censorship was in full swing. You wouldn't hear anything about red shirts during that era or from political opponents.

Also which red shirt nonsense stories are you talking about? Any that paint them in a bad light I assume since you sound so far gone, I bet you deny they burned down central world at that.

I trust a well written news piece over the ramblings of a drunken foreigner whose only news source is his red shirt wife any day.

Edited September 29, 2011 by hungryhippo

[bedouin1990]

Excuse me-was I just dreaming I came here? Maybe I'm really in Iran, Saudi Arabia or Syria. The threat to control the media is a threat to all people-no matter what Party or the Army is in control.

[siampolee]

Unlike Buddy Holly who sang Peggy Sue, Thaksins song was and still is " I will Sue," regarding comments in the press along with comments made by his opponents.

[lannarebirth]

Unlike Buddy Holly who sang Peggy Sue, Thaksins song was and still is " I will Sue," regarding comments in the press along with comments made by his opponents.

I'm asking, because I don't know, does the plaintiff have to appear in court, same as a defendant for a court case to proceed here?

[rubl]

Unlike Buddy Holly who sang Peggy Sue, Thaksins song was and still is " I will Sue," regarding comments in the press along with comments made by his opponents.

I'm asking, because I don't know, does the plaintiff have to appear in court, same as a defendant for a court case to proceed here?

No, he may sent a lawyer who has been given power of attorney and a few legal documents to prove it (as far as I know).

[JurgenG]

A typical dumb Nation article. Thailand has thousands of political prisoners and we all got them for free since the sponsors of the Nation which they welcomed so much were in power since 2006. No bad press from the elitist Nation however. Never any critical word when another academic was imprisoned or had to flee the country.

No word about all those broadcasters that had to feed the entire world with nonsense stories about the red shirts. All but a few channels on radio and TV are controlled by the army and by the government. Nothing new here.

Good news too for the Nation. They seem to be able to criticize the government, they would not have dared to do so under Abhisit. So there is more press freedom since a few months, at least sort of.

Do not read the Nation it is not a newspaper it is not worthy of using the word press or journalists, it is a newsletter.

If you think press freedom is bad *now*, you've got a bit of a shock coming. You obviously weren't here last time the Shinawatras were running the show.

I was there.

And I also was here when the coup leaders and later Abhisit had their regular tv show to explain their policy and the opposition views was forbidden to air because they were considered "divisive".

[lannarebirth]

A typical dumb Nation article. Thailand has thousands of political prisoners and we all got them for free since the sponsors of the Nation which they welcomed so much were in power since 2006. No bad press from the elitist Nation however. Never any critical word when another academic was imprisoned or had to flee the country.

No word about all those broadcasters that had to feed the entire world with nonsense stories about the red shirts. All but a few channels on radio and TV are controlled by the army and by the government. Nothing new here.

Good news too for the Nation. They seem to be able to criticize the government, they would not have dared to do so under Abhisit. So there is more press freedom since a few months, at least sort of.

Do not read the Nation it is not a newspaper it is not worthy of using the word press or journalists, it is a newsletter.

If you think press freedom is bad *now*, you've got a bit of a shock coming. You obviously weren't here last time the Shinawatras were running the show.

I was there.

And I also was here when the coup leaders and later Abhisit had their regular tv show to explain their policy and the opposition views was forbidden to air because they were considered "divisive".

So then, You'll also remember Thaksin's Saturday radio program wherein he said corruption is only natural. I can't recall an opposition rebuttal being allowed for that particular profanity.

[rubl]

Will we get a re-run of the PVT broadcast from last year, you know those from the main stage at Ratchaprasong ? Wonderful shoutcasts of Pheu Thai UDD MPs Jatuporn, Nattawut and others. Even the Dem's used some in their election campaign, although it seems k. Nattawut may have sued them for that. Probably just a matter of licensing rights

[Crushdepth]

A typical dumb Nation article. Thailand has thousands of political prisoners and we all got them for free since the sponsors of the Nation which they welcomed so much were in power since 2006. No bad press from the elitist Nation however. Never any critical word when another academic was imprisoned or had to flee the country.

No word about all those broadcasters that had to feed the entire world with nonsense stories about the red shirts. All but a few channels on radio and TV are controlled by the army and by the government. Nothing new here.

Good news too for the Nation. They seem to be able to criticize the government, they would not have dared to do so under Abhisit. So there is more press freedom since a few months, at least sort of.

Do not read the Nation it is not a newspaper it is not worthy of using the word press or journalists, it is a newsletter.

If you think press freedom is bad *now*, you've got a bit of a shock coming. You obviously weren't here last time the Shinawatras were running the show.

I was there.

And I also was here when the coup leaders and later Abhisit had their regular tv show to explain their policy and the opposition views was forbidden to air because they were considered "divisive".

Would you say the media is more free now than it was under Thaksin, or less?

[ginjag]

A typical dumb Nation article. Thailand has thousands of political prisoners and we all got them for free since the sponsors of the Nation which they welcomed so much were in power since 2006. No bad press from the elitist Nation however. Never any critical word when another academic was imprisoned or had to flee the country.

No word about all those broadcasters that had to feed the entire world with nonsense stories about the red shirts. All but a few channels on radio and TV are controlled by the army and by the government. Nothing new here.

Good news too for the Nation. They seem to be able to criticize the government, they would not have dared to do so under Abhisit. So there is more press freedom since a few months, at least sort of.

Do not read the Nation it is not a newspaper it is not worthy of using the word press or journalists, it is a newsletter.

If you think press freedom is bad *now*, you've got a bit of a shock coming. You obviously weren't here last time the Shinawatras were running the show.

I was there.

And I also was here when the coup leaders and later Abhisit had their regular tv show to explain their policy and the opposition views was forbidden to air because they were considered "divisive".

Fancy even mentioning Abhisit, Oh! Jurgeng Quote== I was there, if you was, near everything was snuffed out that did not contain favourable remarks...Thai Rak ===T.V== the lot..................few if ever was any time given to the opposition.----------------you are always in complete denial--give the truth.

I was aware of the advantages that Abhisit got, but again it was nothing to compare to the threats made by the Thakin government---the same is going to happen--even balance is fair---but this lot are not playing fair-they are playing a dangerous game here----and all you do is talk about the past leader, you have what you favoured-so look at what you have got and reply if you think it's fair BUT do not mention Abisit , trying to get away from the truth doe's you no favours

Edited September 29, 2011 by ginjag