Govt to tackle illegal radio stations

Published: 28/01/2009 at 11:13 AM
Online news:

Prime Minister's Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey on Wednesday said the government will take action against community radio stations that have been found violating the law.

Prime Minister's Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey

Mr Sathit said the government has received many complaints about community radio stations violating the rights of others and trying to gain political benefits. He said many of the stations are in the northern provinces, and about five of them are in Chiang Mai and Lamphun.

The Government Public Relations Department (PRD) and the National Telecommunication Commission of Thailand (NTC) will take care of those stations, and the NTC will call a meeting to draft regulations to deal with this problem seriously, he said.

The minister also called on relevant units to use the existing regulations to penalise the stations committing illegal activities because social problems could arise if they are left unpunished.

The government will not be biased in dealing with community radio stations, whether they are on the yellow-clad People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) side or the red-shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) side.

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Moo Noi

Discussion 15 : 29/01/2009 at 12:53 AM15
I forgot to add that the 5 community radio stations that the Democrat government wants to close are all anti Democrat stations. The reason is because "Some stations use very aggressive language."

While they have never said anything about closing ASTV and they use a lot more aggressive language than any community station does.

It's just a new group of Censors until the next group of censors take over.
Moo Noi

Discussion 14 : 29/01/2009 at 12:40 AM14
BTDT #10 - the 97 constitution said that the NBC and the NBA should be passed and into effect in three years (2000)due to the economic problems it got shuffled to the back burner and it still is not passed. Is that TRT's fault Yes, is it the Junta's fault Yes, is it the PPP's fault Yes, is it the pre Thaksin Democrats fault Yes. It's everyone's fault because it's not something that many people even know about let alone care about.

The military has always opposed the opening of the airways as it cuts into their monopoly. The new constitution is worded very loosely compared to the 97 constitution and this adds to the problem.

All governments have moved to stifle any voice especially in radio and community radio. Thaksin was really no worse and the airways were more open than pre the 97 constitution. After the constitution a lot of illegal stations opened a lot of those were closed and I think that is what everyone thinks of. At no time under TRT did they close 2000 stations like the military did in 2006. Censorship under the military junta was incredible, you just didn't hear about it unless you were not in the media.

Drey #8 - The thing is not to Gag anyone, DTV and ASTV included. The thing is to open the airways and allow the free exchange of information as long as it fits into the legal norm. Subversive, racial etc should be controlled but the views of stations politically should not be. The thing with radio, and TV to a lesser extent, is you can change the station if you do not like the line it follows. Community radio fills a slot between the commercial radio and the military radio stations. Often community radio is the only way to contact the rural people to warn them of things like floods ect and during times of disaster.
somsak

Discussion 13 : 28/01/2009 at 05:08 PM13
In the philppines, most of the journalist assasinated are community radio personalities. They worked for a side in local politial rivaly to be killed by adversary. Maybe it's better to let thme kill each others than government intervene and clean up the mess.
voice of reason

Discussion 12 : 28/01/2009 at 04:42 PM12
Been There Become a pedant, read your post and there could be a 'reasonable person' in there. You almost got to the right conclusion (ie the government must be opposed on this subject) without mentioning Thaksin. OK OK I said 'almost'.

Whilst we should never forget the past, we do live in the present and should have our eyes on the future.

Would it be fair to say that the government has tried hiding behind the Lesse Majeste (sp?) laws, and found that although it allows them to ban any manner of web site they deem to be disrespectful, it is not big enough to stop public criticism of the government.

This is just a small step but it should be seen as part of the bigger picture.
been there done that

Discussion 11 : 28/01/2009 at 03:56 PM11
Gee, Voice, I just got home. You are of course right, as always, I will in the future try to be careless with the english language and try to more closely mirror your gibberish
been there done that

Discussion 10 : 28/01/2009 at 03:50 PM10
Moo Noi, thank you for the information but actually, I was not quoting any act or law. I was just wondering what Drey/joy meant by the strange word censureship as I have never heard that expressed before. For my information I would like to know when the NBA was passed. It seems Thaksin and the TRT had that act for a long time but failed to even fill the agencies seats as there was some fear of its effect. I would love to see truly free speech and freedom of the press but under no government in thailand has that right but extended. As I recall Thaksin was shutting any station which did not follow the TRT line. His interference in the media is legendary. If the present government tries the same policies they must be stopped. A few truly free radio stations off thailand shores would be nice but I think they would move to jam.
voice of reason

Discussion 9 : 28/01/2009 at 03:41 PM9
Been There Done That, you should change your name to - Been There Now I am a pedant.
Drey

Discussion 8 : 28/01/2009 at 03:38 PM8
Gag'em....gag'em all, especially PAD.
voice of reason

Discussion 7 : 28/01/2009 at 03:32 PM7
BTDT disc 4.

You can make no valid point and not attempt to push the debate on, other than being pedantic? Some might say it is nit-picking, splitting hairs, but at least your post shows that you understand the issue being raised, and yet you fail to give us your opinion on it.

If you think pedantry is important you haven't wasted a post. Others might not share your eagerness.
joy

Discussion 6 : 28/01/2009 at 02:32 PM6
Go ahead, you have to take responsibility for your words. Don't be hesitate to show how cool you are. Dare to bark, dare to take the response man.

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Govt to tackle illegal radio stations