NHRC to consider Peace TV licence revocation

[Lite Beer]

FREEDOM OF THE PRESS
NHRC to consider Peace TV licence revocation

BANGKOK: -- RED-SHIRT co-leader Weng Tojirakarn along with Peace TV news anchors filed a petition with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) yesterday to fight the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC)'s decision to revoke its broadcasting licence last week.

NHRC Commissioner Niran Pitakwatchara accepted the petition, saying the commission has the right to check if the NBTC had violated the freedom of press, which is guaranteed by the interim charter.

Ready to listen to all sides

He added that the NHRC would also look into facts to see if Peace TV did indeed broadcast programmes that might be deemed as inciting division in society.

Moreover, the rights commission will also invite NBTC member Supinya Klangnarong - the only person who opposed the licence revocation - to explain the watchdog's decision.

The NHRC will then call red-shirt co-leader and Peace TV news anchor Jatuporn Prompan, who is believed to be behind the contentious programme, to give an account.

On May 20, the commission will hold a meeting to examine the process under which the licence was cancelled and see if Peace TV was given a fair opportunity to defend itself.

Niran said the NBTC could only block a controversial programme from being broadcast, but not shut down the station because it would affect the staff.

"If today we are not able to listen to different opinions, then it will be difficult to achieve our aim of moving toward democracy, to build reform and [fulfil] expectations that a new constitution will lead to reconciliation among all parties," he pointed out.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/politics/NHRC-to-consider-Peace-TV-licence-revocation-30259576.html

-- The Nation 2015-05-09

[thesetat2013]

Peace TV Heheee! A contradiction in itself. Although I am a firm believer in freedom of the press it should be regulated and follows laws the same as the people are supposed to do. This station only wants to cause conflicts against any that oppose the PTP and UDD way of thinking. They only report half truths and always with a biased opinion. That is not how a station should act. I hope they are banned and lose their license and are never allowed to operate a station with political motivations again.

Its on thing to listen to other points of view objectively. This station never did that and instead only gave their biased opinions geared toward the PTP. They also ruled the airwaves in the north leaving the people to only hear their side of the story

[Robby nz]

Does that mean that the petition to the UN didn't work or are they in the process of investigating as well ?

[Godders]

If the regime is smart, it will allow some political steam to vent - as it presumably hopes will happen following the offer to permit political meetings with military "minders" present to monitor the proceedings.

The alternative would be for the lid to eventually blow off the dangerously-simmering pot of discontent, with predictably unpleasant consequences all round and yet another backward step on the road towards democracy.

Edited May 9, 2015 by Godders

[halloween]

If the regime is smart, it will allow some political steam to vent - as it presumably hopes will happen following the offer to permit political meetings with military "minders" present to monitor the proceedings.

The alternative would be for the lid to eventually blow off the dangerously-simmering pot of discontent, with predictably unpleasant consequences all round and yet another backward step on the road towards democracy.

Venting is one solution. Turning down the heat and getting rid of the stirrers is another. Why is it that supposedly neutral observers keep making warnings of catastrophic violence if the reds don't get their way?

BTW where should we look to find this "dangerously-simmering pot of discontent"?

[animatic]

"... The NHRC will then call red-shirt co-leader and Peace TV news anchor Jatuporn Prompan,

who is believed to be behind the contentious programme, to give an account...."

Well this makes it all so clear.

A #1 rabble rouser of the last decade over steps the bounds repeatedly,

and is hauled back in, and it is SUDDENLY 'a human rights violation'

even if he is working as a 'party hack' and 'for a company'...

never mind that, try anything that might flumox the powers that be.

The only thing that surprises me it Just a prawns show being allowed to fulminate for so long.

I guess he was being given enough rope to hang himself with.

"...Peace TV news anchor Jatuporn Prompan..." << just the phrase is irony on the hoof.

Edited May 9, 2015 by animatic