Broadcast watchdog told to deal with issues

[Lite Beer]

CHANNEL 3 CONTROVERSY

Broadcast watchdog told to deal with issues
The Nation

BANGKOK: -- Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha yesterday asked the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) and other concerned agencies to address quickly issues related to television broadcasting, in the best interests of the public.

Over the past week, the NBTC has been engaged in a dispute over broadcasts of Channel 3's analog programmes.

Speaking on his "Return Happiness to Thai People" programme last night, Prayuth said the NBTC must find a solution in accordance with laws.

"Operators should think of the benefits that the people will receive from gaining access to viewing television and information on all systems," he said.

He added that the NBTC would expedite the distribution of set-top-box vouchers so that the digital television industry can move forward.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Broadcast-watchdog-told-to-deal-with-issues-30242675.html

-- The Nation 2014-09-06

[chainarong]

The possibility of the watchdog doing anything lies in its charter, whether it is a toothless kitty and worst, the stomach for a s!!t fight with some very rich owners, as we all know, fighting with some of these people can cause untold problems the least of all waking up disappeared or even dead on occasions, this is unduly a strain on ones health , the other problem is corruption and what gets overlooked with a slight of hand action , a possible solution is to review the watchdog charter give it some teeth if needed and go from there, one thing is for sure it isn't any good having an ineffectual watchdog. woof woof.

[NongKhaiKid]

I agree in the main but would say it doesn't matter how many powers a body has at its disposal if the staff cannot / will not use them and you have covered some of the reasons why already which brings us back to how LoS operates.

One minor example s the Ombudsman when YL was PM who asked so many times about Mr. T being issued a passport and let's not forget it was delivered personally by the then Foreign Minister.

During the tenure of the PFP govt his requests for clarification were ignored and he did nothing.

[rickirs]

The issue NBTC has with Channel 3 is that Channel 3 is not following the law. NBTC is the regulatory agency to oversee the application of the law.

Gen. Prayuth says NBTC must find a solution in accordance with laws. Okay, NBTC should immediately suspend Channel 3’s broadcast license until it complies with the law and stop its dialog with Channel 3. But its reluctance to do so may stem from “conflict” that Gen. dislikes.

Gen. Prayuth then adds, "Operators should think of the benefits that the people will receive from gaining access to viewing television and information on all systems,"

This is what NBTC may seem to be more concerned about - what does Gen. Prayuth want? And what Gen. Prayuth wants, is what the law will be. So NBTC may interpret Gen. Prayuth’s statement as to give Channel 3 a waiver for the better good of the People, and not for the better good of the law.

[recycled]

Once the Man speaks, all must abide. He is saying give the people what he wants, a waiver for Channel 3. That is the luxury of being the Dictator of any country, do as I say not as I do.