Will broadcast 24 hours, but be 'neutral'
By Post reporters
A senior parliamentary official yesterday allayed fears that parliament's radio and satellite-based television station, expected to broadcast 24 hours a day from early next year, will become another government mouthpiece. Khamphee Ditthakorn, deputy secretary-general of the House of Representatives, said the parliamentary broadcasts will be politically neutral and allow all parties to give their side.
Mr Khamphee, also a member of a sub-committee improving the efficiency of parliament's radio and television channel, said parliament's radio station which uses the frequency of 87.5 Mhz in Bangkok has been working for 14 years without criticism.
Parliament's radio and satellite-based television station broadcasts from 5am to 10pm. The current broadcast area covers about 20% of the country.
Under the 24-hour plan, the broadcasts would cover 70% of the country.
The station is expanding its broadcasting network by seeking cooperation from local cable operators who will be allowed to pick up the signal.
Mr Khamphee added the station is also considering whether it is capable of producing its own programmes.
NBT, formerly Channel 11, is widely seen as a tool by the government to attack its opponents, especially since the Khwam Jing Wan Nee (Truth of Today) programme co-hosted by former Thai Rak Thai executive Veera Musikapong was introduced.
Mr Khamphee said the 24-hour operation is expected to begin next January. The station hopes to get a 349-million-baht budget to purchase equipment.
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| Jurin: Programme is one-sided |
Prem: Urges media to work hard |
Col Apiwan Wiriyachai, deputy House Speaker and board chairman of parliament's radio and television station, said the content will be improved to make them less academic and more appealing.
Some MPs suggested that the parliament television station should become free television, but several said that would require a huge investment.
Meanwhile, Democrat executive Jurin Laksanavisit yesterday called on Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and the Public Relations Department to review the Khwam Jing Wan Nee programme.
The programme was one-sided and failed to allow people it criticises to have a say, he said.
Somkiat Tangkijwanich, a researcher at the Thailand Development Research Institute, said the NBT station is known to be a state tool and gets little public attention.
People who feel they are unfairly accused should take the case to court.
Privy Council president Prem Tinsulanonda yesterday urged the media to work hard to bring the truth to the public.
He said the media should also advise the public on how they could help bring peace to society.
He was speaking after chairing the opening ceremony of a fair to mark Her Majesty the Queen's 76th birthday
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