Thailand's political television stations winning more viewers

[webfact]

Political television stations winning more viewers
Pravit Rojanaphruk
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- The number of people watching the anti-government Blue Sky TV channel has risen significantly over the past two weeks because mainstream mass media has not been giving much prominence to the anti-amnesty bill demonstrations, the channel's managing director Vittayen Muttamara said.

He went on to say that his satellite channel was gaining popularity because it provided up-to-date, live reports on what was happening at the different protest sites. However, he denied that Blue Sky, like its adversary the red-shirt Asia Update, was being used as an outlet for hate speech and propaganda.

When asked if the channel would continue broadcasting even if speakers indulge in hate speech on stage, he said what they say had nothing to do with the station's policy.

"We're not the ones doing it, right?" Vittayen asked.

Meanwhile, former Chulalong-korn University lecturer of communication arts Ubonrat Siriyuwasak said different political groups were using TV stations to advertise their political causes, which in turn was inciting unbalanced passion that could be dangerous to society. Ubonrat said these so-called political TV channels were today's equivalent of political pamphlets.

"Television will be utilised [for political causes] for a while yet.

"This may not lead to a state where [viewers] use reason. Instead it's being replaced by emotional satisfaction," she said, adding that the recent decision by Asia Update to remove speeches by red-shirt leaders who opposed the controversial blanket amnesty bill resulted in a drop in its viewership.

Jom Petchpradab, a host at the pro-government Voice TV which is owned by Thaksin Shinawatra's son Panthongtae, said the incident at Asia Update showed how some political TV stations will not tolerate dissent.

However, Jom insisted that there was more freedom at Voice TV to express differing views, though people had to be careful and tactful when expressing them.

"There's no order [for journalists who disagree to keep quiet] but there are signs that not too much attention should be paid to opposition [to the bill]. It's not come to a point where everyone is afraid [to air their views], but there's a clear policy that they must be careful," Jom said.

He also accused channels like Blue Sky of being used for the mobilisation of the masses, a charge that was denied by Vittayen.

"It is now used as a tool to overthrow the administration by inciting emotions," Jom claimed.


-- The Nation 2013-11-15

[Halion]

Television is an accepted part of the media and in a democratic society where responsible free speech is an accepted norm people will want to be informed. Thaksin had no misgivings in using his controlled channels during his term and the problem seems to me to be that in the current climate the PTP are devoid of any form of tangible rebuttal so they have little they can put out in the media.

[ginjag]

Where has the IN channel news GONE ?????????? in a morning "Rise and shine" 2 hours of news. update on the hour and evening, "ON the grid" can anyone find out WHY it's gone off air. ??

It was English spoken and informative, good English newscasters. it was popular with Thai people as well as Farang. e.mail could not get an answer.

One only has to come to the conclusion that it was ordered off. Was it because it was too informative. ??? otherwise the channel is running it's normal program.

Another news channel is MCOT in English 10 mins on the hour but now very poor news and very little about the government situ. Strange-coincidence ???

[fab4]

When asked if the channel would continue broadcasting even if speakers indulge in hate speech on stage, he said what they say had nothing to do with the station's policy.

"We're not the ones doing it, right?" Vittayen asked.

And lets see the TV hordes screaming "censorship!" if Blue Sky is taken off air for Hate Speech whilst thinking nothing of all the UDD Rado stations that were shut down in 2010

I mean where else can you get one former PM threatening the lives of the entire family of another former PM?

[mca]

I reckon if Blue Sky channel started producing their own lakhons they'd be onto a winner 2 viewer grabbers for the price of one.

Forbidden Romance At Anusawari Pratchathipatai

My Sassy Suthep

Whistle Of Love

Democracy Strawberry Girl

Torrid Traffic Jam Temptress

[nong38]

Good competition for Thai soaps/drama I would say but how long will it go on for? Surely they have covered and said everything? It will interesting next week to see the Reds reaction.

Other tv channels have had poor coverage possibly trying not to scare off the tourists and yet the list of countries advising people not to travel to Thailand continues to rise, it seems that all parties and their supporters only have eyes and ears that stop at the border, its all internal they do not think or care what the rest of the world thinks of the goings on recently, Thailand truly is the centre of the world, perhaps the most important hub on the planet, well some might say that I could not possibly comment.

[ramrod711]

Jom Petchpradab, a host at the pro-government Voice TV which is owned by Thaksin Shinawatra's son Panthongtae, said the incident at Asia Update showed how some political TV stations will not tolerate dissent.

I imagine that there is strong support for dissention at this neutral station, clearly anyone making a case against amnesty would be welcome to express their views.