Sathit warns local radio against abuse of constitution

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Sathit warns local radio against abuse of constitution

Stations should avoid being overly political

Published: 29/01/2009 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News

Community radio stations being used as political tools and which trample on the rights of others can expect to face tougher action, says the minister in charge of state media.

PM's Office Minister Sathit Wongnongtoey said yesterday there had been complaints that some community radio stations were not acting in line with the constitution and had been used to sow misunderstanding.

Sathit: Erring stations risk being taken off air

Mr Sathit said he had received evidence including tape recordings from provinces such as Chiang Mai and Lamphun.

Some community radio stations had been using strong and malicious words, he said, and he would raise the issue with a committee on broadcasting set up by the Public Relations Department and the National Telecommunications Commission.

The committee will investigate the evidence and take legal action against community radio stations that are being misused.

Mr Sathit said it was up to the committee to decide whether the stations should be closed.

The minister called on members of the public to submit recordings of radio stations suspected of breaching the charter to Government House. The tapes would be used by the committee as evidence in taking action against the stations.

Mr Sathit earlier said the government would classify more than 7,000 community radio stations into different categories - such as commercial-oriented, political-oriented and true community radio stations - to make it easier to supervise them.

He brushed aside a threat by some stations to protest against the move, saying nobody was above the law.

Community radio stations have been operating without proper licences while delays continue to hamper the establishment of the regulatory National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission.

House deliberations on the bill setting up the NBTC have been stalled for some time over accusations of conflict of interest.

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) broadcast committee had prepared a time frame for implementing licensing regulations for community stations which it will submit to the new regulator.

The public will be informed of the NTC's role before licensing regulations are drawn up.

Article 90 of the Broadcasting Act authorises the NTC to oversee community radio and cable TV stations while the NBTC is in the process of becoming a legal entity.

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Discussion 8 : 02/02/2009 at 06:00 AM8
Somboon _ The stations in Phayao are all different some only broadcast a few hours a day all Phayao community stations are running without licenses as the Junta pulled them all. The stations in red are community stations (broadcasting illegally) the others are government, police or Military with licenses.

http://www.asiawaves.net/thailand/phayao-radio.htm#phayao-fm-radio

The Phayao city/Mae Tam area has a couple of stations that broadcast illegally and are not on the list, try early morning or evening dial scan.

We broadcast Creative Commons music, it comprises everything from Jazz to Reggae, ballads, folk etc as well as community interest programs, world, national, regional and local News etc. We also syndicate Democracy Now (in English) from Pacifica in the US 3 times a week and are looking to syndicate more programing in the future. We have been trying to get a full power FM license for 24/7 programing for a many few years.

Community Radio is a threat to the Monopoly of the government, police and Military but not a threat to Thai security or the country.
Somboon

Discussion 7 : 01/02/2009 at 01:50 PM7
Hey Moo Noi,

Do the community radio stations in Phayao play rock 'n roll and blues or do they play music at all? Should have rock 'n roll mix with politics like in the '70s. May be I could help out on that part.
John Smith

Discussion 6 : 31/01/2009 at 06:19 PM6
Moo Noi Thanks for the information, as for ASTV which IS another POLITICAL station funded by advertising and the PAD just emphasises my point that the WHOLE subject needs addressed sensibly and I would add that the CONSTITUTION needs to be amended to TAKE AWAY the power the MILITARY obviously have CONTROLLING the airwaves in Thailand. ie RADIO and TV stations.

Surely ANY countries MILITARY is to protect the GOVERNMENT and the PEOPLE, NOT to use that countries airwaves for propaganda or to INTIMIDATE ANYONE. Sometimes I wonder WHO is "in charge" of the country.

One of the EXCUSES they use to CONTROL the TV and RADIO is these outdated "LESE MAJESTE" laws which are obviously open to be abused by POLITICIANS and the MILITARY.These laws need to be AMMENDED or SCRAPPED altogether.

I DO understand that "community" radio can be a GREAT BENEFIT for any community IF used for the purpose it should be. ie information, phone ins, local news and weather as well as music and LIGHT hearted banter.
Moo Noi

Discussion 5 : 31/01/2009 at 01:19 PM5
John Smith - What's your view on ASTV then?

The Military have TV because they set it up under one of their coups. You may also like to know that the military has a monopoly on radio stations in Thailand. They also do not like competition from community radio and under the last coup they closed 2000 community stations, mostly in the north and northeast.

Spend the time to listen to this interview with Ubonrat Siriyuvasak on Community radio in Thailand.

http://www.radio4all.net/index.php/program/19360

Community radio is not just political it's often the only alternative to military radio especially in remote areas. At our house in Phayao we would not have any TV if we didn't have sat TV but we have a selection of community radio stations some political and some not, that's what community radio is all about.

wtf - Maybe some stations in major areas like Chiang Mai, Korat or Udon receive money but the majority of them are run on a very short shoestring by people that love radio. The community radio coverage area is very small, in smaller communities or communities in the mountains it could be as small as 5 sq KM and maybe in that area there are only a few hundred listeners. Community radio is low power FM line of sight transmission, not multi thousand watt transmitters like the military uses.
wtf

Discussion 4 : 30/01/2009 at 08:00 PM4
There is a fine line between censorship and combating treasonous propaganda. These radio stations need to be investigated and if they are indeed receiving money from a central figure, *cough Thaksin *cough, then follow the money trail and arrest everyone along the way.

If people are simply speaking their minds and they are not receiving money or talking points from fugitives living abroad - then let them speak.

Its not always black and white, but we don't need to lower ourselves to tyranny to combat these problems or open the door to censorship which then never seems to close.

Many of these stations are shamelessly taking money, and serving as organizing points for the aiding and abetting of a convicted criminal/fugitive - and that is unacceptable.
John Smith

Discussion 3 : 30/01/2009 at 03:43 PM3
I agree with Mr Sathit and the Abhisit government.

The whole topic of what people HAVE to listen to depending where they live needs to be addressed properly.

I agree that different political parties, whether in power or not, should have a voice but ONLY for the OCCASIONAL explanation of their policies and ideas for the future which could be aired for say 10 or 15 minutes ONCE a month.

Sadly the situation at the moment is obviously out of hand ie D-station on air with one point of view 24 hours a day,some "community" radio stations with their brainwashing broadcasts and while I'm on the subject WHY do the MIITARY have their own TV channels??
Moo Noi

Discussion 2 : 30/01/2009 at 01:24 AM2
Breaking the constitution, he should read it. It states that the government is not allowed to interfere in public broadcasting regulation.

This is just the latest of the Democrats Censorship rush along with increased LM charges, Internet censorship and now Community radio closings. We are turning into Burma maybe we can have work and detention camps to re-educate us. Wait we do under ISOC.
Somboon

Discussion 1 : 29/01/2009 at 11:39 PM1
Mr. Sathit,

You are out of line. In a democratic country, people have the right to question, regardless of what the constitution says. There are always people with different opinions. If you cannot take questions from people in different part of the country, then you should not be in politics. Why are these stations only in the North and Northeast? It shows your bias. Community stations reflect the local opinions and issues. If the next government, say pro Thaksin becomes the next government, would you like it if they go after your community station in Huay-yod, Trang, and those in the South?

Sathit warns local radio against abuse of constitution