Why so serious? New MCOT chief prefers 'happy' news to brutal reality

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Why so serious? New MCOT chief prefers 'happy' news to brutal reality

Published: 21 Oct 2012 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

Anek Permvongseni, the new head of MCOT Public Company Limited, says that in the fractious Thai media landscape in which every outlet is accused of being owned by, siding with, or at very least leaning towards one side of the political divide or another, what people really want is ''happy'' news.

KEEP IT POSITIVE: New MCOT president Anek Permvongseni wants to modernise the state enterprise, while pushing cheerful news.

''The people don't have to always know the truth,'' he said. ''Divisions and conflicts do not have to be news.''

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DONHUAN
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Discussion 6 : 21 Oct 2012 at 22.156
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True, news stories are mostly crowded with “bad / unpleasant” news but it’s real / true in real time; that’s the nature of the business. MCOT is not a government propaganda agency where embedded news people pick and choose “news” favorable to the government. But since this post is a political appointment, one mustn’t be too harsh on the man because that is his “nature of the job”; to kiss his political boss’s XXX. If he performs his natural thing (KA) well, he expects to be promoted in due course (2.5 years). Again, his suggestion that the opposition “request for a platform”; but of course the obvious “truth” is th
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franklin
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Discussion 5 : 21 Oct 2012 at 19.215
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''The people don't have to always know the truth,'' he said. ''Divisions and conflicts do not have to be news.'' Hello! And here in lies Thailand’s main problem. The people are not respected nor treated like adults with the ability to decide for themselves. They are seen as subservient children. Here’s a novel idea Mr. Happy Face, how about ridding the country of corruption, applying the laws equally, and modernizing Thai teaching methods? Stop exploiting every opportunity to take advantage of the poor and follow moral teachings more often. If this ever happened, I guarantee the people would be happier.
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TryAgain
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Discussion 4 : 21 Oct 2012 at 18.084
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Looks like MCOT has admitted what it really is. This is not a serious news organization.

It is just a Propaganda Toll for the current Government.
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john_l
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Discussion 3 : 21 Oct 2012 at 10.463
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Miracle Thailand. Can't have news organizations telling the truth now. Obviously the government searched high and low for a principled, ethical, and experienced news director --- and after interviewing all of them decided instead to go and look for a bumbling fool apologetic pawn. At least we know who is responsible for the Thai media lies at MCOT for the next couple of years. Certainly looks like a man used to delivering humor, mirth and side-splitting information at weddings, Bar Mitzvahs and corporate functions.
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mogy71
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Discussion 2 : 21 Oct 2012 at 09.212
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Another cog in the already highly geared wheels of 'that man'
The article initially brought disbelief with his 'they don't always have to know the truth' comment. More white (or otherwise) lies on the way.
Then I softened a touch when he spoke of sitting to breakfast with the family and having ing bombarded with news of drugs and murders. Fair point as a few breakfast shows like they have in the west might be welcome although I have a sneaking suspicion they would grate on the senses within minutes...
But then of course there had to be the statement of defiance regarding his political stance - ''It's the nature of the job".....I'm a pawn !
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retiredsam
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Discussion 1 : 21 Oct 2012 at 04.121
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Is this guy for real.Don't tell the truth only "happy news".Then get rid of all the corruption,jail those who are responsible,get people who really want to help get Thailand from being a third world country to a country that is really looking after their people and a democratic society,then when their lives improve maybe they will be happier.
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Why so serious? New MCOT chief prefers 'happy' news to brutal reality | Bangkok Post: news