Broadcast Media Protested Government’s Move to Control Community Radio

December 23, 2002

Thai Broadcast Journalists Association (TBJA) protested against Thaksin government’s plan to grant 400 Tambol Administration Organizations (TAO) the right to run community radio stations as a New Year’s gift.

The communique, issued December 20 said the government’s move was against the constitution as it did not represent the independent grass-root initiatives.

The association also urged the government to stop interfering with the media through this tactic. Rather TBJA said it should support the local community that has capacity to run the community radio.

The 1997 Constitution stipulates the initiative to run community radio must come from the grassroots so that the radio could represent genuine need of the people and are independent of political influence.

TBJA pointed out the TAO represented the people but it was politically-affiliated that was naturally interfered by political interested parties or local mafia bosses.

The TBJA statement followed reports that Department of Public Relations revealed in its in-house publication that Thaksin ‘s plan to grant the airwaves to 400 TAOs as a New Year gift. This is part of government’s plan to support 7,255 TAOs to run their own radio. According to the plan, radio staffs must also pass screening and training process conducted by DPR.

Media critics doubted this move was intended to strengthen Thai Rak Thai’s political bases in preparation to the next election.

National Community Radio Federation earlier said that it was not against TAO’s operating community radio but suggested they should share frequencies with the state not, the local community radio. Under the constitution, local community will get the 20 Per Cent share of the frequencies.

TBJA also urged the government to give priority to unfinished tasks of approving the interim broadcast regulations for community radio trial and ensuring transparency of the Broadcasting Commission’s decision-making and selection process.

It also urged the government to improve the broadcasting Business Bill to include more public participation in the formulation of the bill before it goes to cabinet for consideration.