NEWS THINK
ANUCHA CHAROENPO
A truly level political playing field between the government and its critics is not possible as long as the government shamelessly does what it pleases, by using the NBT, formerly Channel 11, as its mouthpiece to counter-attack its opponents. The one-hour ''Truths for Today'' weekday programme, being aired since Monday from 10-11pm, is hosted by Veera Musikapong, Jatuporn Promphan and Nattawut Saikua, three former anti-coup leaders from the Thaksin camp.
The programme, strongly backed by Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, has left no doubts in the minds of the public that the government does not practise what it preaches and firmly controls all the state-run media outlets and is using them to its advantage in retaliating against its foes.
The prime minister is keen to use the TV programme to strike back at opponents, especially the five leaders of the People's Alliance for Democracy, for the non-stop protests that have continued uninterrupted since May 25.
His strategy is to rub more salt into the PAD wounds and make them harder to cure in the future.
If our guess is right, the embattled premier probably believes he is doing what is needed to stifle the unfair attacks by the PAD-led protesters.
But as a prime minister, he should not forget that he needs to pay more attention to issues like peace, unity and people's welfare, instead of fighting back in such a crude manner that is certainly going to cause more divisions in the country and not serve or fulfil his personal desire and the interests of his ruling People Power party as he has been made to believe by those around him.
The decision to use the airwaves to counter his adversaries could even backfire on him in the sense that those previously in neutral mode may find the NBT leverage unacceptable, and begin to sympathise with the PAD.
''Truths for Today'' is not the only programme being applied to retaliate against the administration's opponents. Mr Samak's TV and radio address every Sunday from 8.30-9.30am is another channel at the prime minister's disposal which he uses to both counter his critics and claim credit for the government.
What we now need to question is the duty and vision of the NBT station, whether it was set up to serve the people or the politicians.
Station executives are partly to blame for what is happening.
If they had stood their ground and refused to bow to the demands of politicians, a programme like ''Truths for Today'' would not have been launched.
NBT executives must bear in mind that taxpayers are paying their salaries and they need not bow to the wishes of politicians.
Reporters working for the station should not allow the NBT to become a mouthpiece of the government. It must be the mouthpiece of the people.
If it wants to promote a true level playing field, the government and the three hosts of the programme should switch to the satellite-based PTV, a channel supporting ousted prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra and the government, to counter ASTV, also a satellite channel.
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