Thai politics: Battle waged in cyberspace a sign of the times

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BURNING ISSUE
Battle waged in cyberspace a sign of the times
Sasithorn Ongdee

BANGKOK: -- A BATTLE between BEC World vice president Chatchai Thiamtong and National Broadcasting Telecommunications commissioner Supinya Klangnarong has been waged on Twitter over the past few days, with each slamming the other over Channel 3 analog's pending removal from satellite networks on September 28.

The spat is a reflection of the fact that something is wrong with the broadcasting industry as a whole - whether it's the unprofessional conduct of some commissioners, internal conflicts in the regulatory body, a lack of social responsibility, including how it affects private businesses, or all of them.

The cyberspace battle occurred following a fruitless meeting between BEC World executives and NBTC commissioners, who are also members of the broadcasting committee, on Tuesday. BEC World is the parent company of Bangkok Entertainment, the operator of Channel 3.

On Wednesday NBTC's board met to discuss the Channel 3 controversy but did not resolve the matter, as had been expected, instead leaving the problem with its legal advisory team.

Hence, the broadcasting committee's September 8 order banning Channel 3 from cable and satellite networks within 15 days of that date remains in place.

The matter could be resolved quickly if Channel 3 - the most popular channel - could be convinced to simulcast all its TV programmes on one of its three digital sister channels - standard, high definition and family. But that may not be as easy as it sounds. Even though Channel 3 and the sister stations are subsidiaries of BEC, they are not the same company.

There could also be a complication regarding the TV licence fee payment. If the regulator waives the fee to encourage Channel 3 to broadcast on the digital system, this might result in a backlash from other digital TV operators over perceived unfair treatment.

Channel 3 wants to stay with the analog transmission for the next six years at most. That's why BEC World uses another subsidiary company to bid for its digital licenses while the analog Channel 3 achieves the magic 70:30 ration.

The ratio is wonderful for Channel 3, but not for the NBTC.

Channel 3 enjoys a 70 per cent market share, with 15 million of the 22 million viewers nationwide tuning into the station via cable and satellite networks.

The regulator might feel unhappy because it is being challenged to increase the number of people watching digital TV in order to balance the viewing ratio for all platforms. Currently, about 30 per cent of total viewers watch TV via terrestrial antennas while 70 per cent watch TV via cable/satellite networks.

It's no surprise that Tuesday's meeting did not resolve the issue. Businesses always think about the bottom line and sometimes don't show enough social responsibility.

Perhaps the regulator might be the cause of the disruptions to the broadcasting industry.

For example, there has been a delay in the giving away of coupons to buy digital set-top boxes so people can view digital TV on their old TV sets.

Among other issues, the ordering of the 36 free TV channels on cable and satellite networks is not the same as ordering terrestrial TV channels.

Surely the NBTC is running out of time in its support of the transformation from analog to digital.

Otherwise, it might take as long as 10 years to complete the mission instead of the three to four years originally targeted.

On the other hand, Channel 3's persistence on keeping its analog transmission might be interpreted as it not wanting to support the nation's policy to transform into to digital era. Could it possibly relax its conditions?

Also, should the structure of the NBTC broad, including the role of its commissioners, be changed in order to make the transition to the digital era smoother?

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Battle-waged-in-cyberspace-a-sign-of-the-times-30243638.html


-- The Nation 2014-09-19

[NCFC]

It's about the bottom line.

[ChrisY1]

Another load of rubbish.....anywhere else in the modern world, if broadcasters don't toe the line, they go!

Her.....they mess about and achieve zero..........

Yes....all about bottom line and who your mates are!

[chainarong]

What are the broadcasting rules , you apply them without fear or favour , never mind about the owners and stay out of the comments on social media , it not only brings you down to their level, it is unprofessional and who gives a toss if Channel 3 is the most popular broadcaster, they still have shocking soaps that are so amateurish that they are laughable.

[Tatsujin]

If Channel 3 are breaking any rules or laws, you punish them for it. Simple as that. Fighting in public like they are is just pathetic.

[rickirs]

Why does the article say," On Wednesday NBTC's board met to discuss the Channel 3 controversy but did not resolve the matter, as had been expected, instead leaving the problem with its legal advisory team."

The NBTC's order banning Channel 3 from cable and satellite networks within 15 days of that date remains in place. NBTC doesn't need to resolve anything. If after 15 days the Channel continues to refuse compliance, the police and/or military need to enforce the law and shut down the broadcaster. Ultimately it will be the NCPO/Gen. Prayuth who will decide what law shall be, by military edict if necessary.