Political TV hosts take up apolitical roles in new scenario
KRIS BHROMSUTHI
THE NATION

Channels back on air after signing pact with junta depoliticise their content

BANGKOK: -- PARTISAN TV celebrities from colour-coded political channels have returned to screens but their main content will focus more on constructive opinion on reform and perhaps even a cooking or music-for-life programme.

Political TV channels such as the pro-red shirt Asia Update, and Democrat-affiliated Blue Sky were allowed by the junta to start broadcasting again after they agreed to sign agreements to depoliticise their content and changed their channels' names. The channels had been off the air since the May 22 coup.

Jatuporn Promphan, former Pheu Thai MP and a popular pro-red shirt TV host, who has returned to Peace TV (previously UDD) since September 1, said his programme "Peace Talk" will focus on contributing to the 11 national reform areas proposed by the National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO).

"We will invite speakers who are experts in particular reform areas to discuss and brainstorm ideas in order to voice our opinions with regards to each area of national reform," the red-shirt leader said.

When asked which areas of reform in particular he was looking to contribute towards, he said his expertise was in political and judicial reforms.

Thepthai Senpong, a popular former Blue Sky TV host, said he would return to Fah Wun Mai (new name of Blue Sky) to host "Vikror Columnist" [Columnist analysis] - a programme where he will read out selected newspaper columns to his audience. The programme is on air from 11am-12pm daily.

"I will pick good columns from different newspapers to read to my audience because most Thai people don't like to read and therefore lack good information; I am looking to filling them in with that."

Furthermore, he said he is hoping to host a music programme, as a VJ.

"I personally like song-for-life music, therefore, I would like to host a music programme for this particular type of music, and perhaps add a bit of political context to the song.

"Since the rules do not allow me to broadcast any political programme, I see a music programme as an alternative."

However, he said there were problems of copyright that need to be settled.

When asked whether such a dramatic switch to hosting programmes with mild political content would affect audience ratings, he said his Vikror Columnist programme so far had received a positive response and most audiences would follow the programme because of his personal style.

"I believe I have a funny and humorous style that can attract people to watch the programmes."

Chavanond Intarakomalyasut, one of the key former Blue Sky TV hosts, said he could not confirm his role on TV as it was still at an early stage.

However, he said: "I am thinking of hosting a cooking programme where I will cook "political food", for example, politicians' favourite food menus and perhaps add certain forms of political content to the show".

Another prominent red-shirt figure, Thida Tavornseth, who is also a popular figure on pro-red-shirt TV stations, said she would return to host a programme on Peace TV. The content of her programme is not clear yet.

"We won't do anything that violates the rules, there are plenty of things that can be discussed, and the focus is to do so in a constructive manner."

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/Political-TV-hosts-take-up-apolitical-roles-in-new-30242492.html


-- The Nation 2014-09-04

A leopard and spots jumps to mind.

When asked which areas of reform in particular he was looking to contribute towards, he said his expertise was in political and judicial reforms.

That is news to me, I thought his expertise was inciting violence and arson.

"I will pick good columns from different newspapers to read to my audience because most Thai people don't like to read and therefore lack good information; I am looking to filling them in with that."

I think Thai people would read more if they had access to reading material. My wife reads the newspaper everyday now that we can get it delivered, there are no vendors in our village

"And now we have the latest installment of " My Isaan Kitchen Rules" where former reshirt radio host Mad Dog Sombat Tagaew will be preparing somtam with a confit of pla ra while on the other channel ex anti Yingluck protest bodyguard and thug for hire Lek Wattana gives his tips on how best to accesorize your wardrobe using a simple popcorn bag and a whistle in "Fashion Forward Pi Nong Khrap"

You must only broadcast what we allow!..........

"And now we have the latest installment of " My Isaan Kitchen Rules" where former reshirt radio host Mad Dog Sombat Tagaew will be preparing somtam with a confit of pla ra while on the other channel ex anti Yingluck protest bodyguard and thug for hire Lek Wattana gives his tips on how best to accesorize your wardrobe using a simple popcorn bag and a whistle in "Fashion Forward Pi Nong Khrap"

Oh Joy, all this and the soap operas too. Is this what the junta calls " happiness ' ?

Cue Kylie - " I should be so lucky '

"And now we have the latest installment of " My Isaan Kitchen Rules" where former reshirt radio host Mad Dog Sombat Tagaew will be preparing somtam with a confit of pla ra while on the other channel ex anti Yingluck protest bodyguard and thug for hire Lek Wattana gives his tips on how best to accesorize your wardrobe using a simple popcorn bag and a whistle in "Fashion Forward Pi Nong Khrap"

Oh Joy, all this and the soap operas too. Is this what the junta calls " happiness ' ?

Cue Kylie - " I should be so lucky '

I'm just waiting for "Rak Chiang Mai 51's Got Talent" mate.

It's all rather reminiscent of the Sandinistas, when they closed down an opposition paper.

"The paper said we were committing censorship and restricting the freedom of the press. That was a lie and we couldn't let them publish it."

Er, guys .......

A leopard and spots jumps to mind.

More like a venomous snake trying to shed its skin, only to realise that it is still a venomous snake.

I can just see the TV commercial now

" And coming to the former Political TV channel pro-red shirt Asia Update, Don't miss 7:30pm Friday nights debut of DANCING WITH THE SHINAWATRAS"

If they understood it, the presenters would be apolitical and the guests would provide the comment, as much as possible.

But of course not, that would take understanding television presenting.

I'm probably showing my ignorance here but what is 'song for life music'? Sounds a bit long to me if it's for life. I'm almost glad I'm not in my 20s.

On the subject of what you CAN and CAN'T Say on Broadcast Media:

Many years ago in Australia, I worked for a Commercial radio Network that was jointly owned by the Methodist Church & the Australian Labor Party.

I was doing a "Talk-back" show but was strictly forbidden to talk about: Booze, Gambling,Politics and SEX, Religion had to be "vetted" by a "Spiritual Adviser" who sat in the control room with a finger poised over the DUMP BUTTON and listened before the calls went to air (we had a 7-second delay...required by Law in Oz.) The only Politics was when the State Premier, a Laborite did his weekly broadcast.

The station also banned ANY and All Alcohol Advertising and there were NO COMMERCIALS whatsoever on Sundays. We had a mixture of

Rock and Roll and "God au-Go-Go" most religions were given between 30 and 60 minutes each on Sundays although the Methodists got considerably more. Funny thing was, our R&R Music shows rated number ONE in the market.

Maybe the "Political" TV Hosts here can learn to talk about ....the Weather!

Edited September 4, 201411 yr by Torrens54