SPECIAL CAMPAIGN / IMPROVING CHILDREN'S LIVES

Parents challenged not to watch TV for a week

ANCHALEE KONGRUT

If you are one of those who feel watching too much television is not good for you and your children, mark April 23-29 on your calendar.

That week is the target of a campaign called ''Turn Off Your TV, Turn on Your Life''. It is being launched by a coalition of non-government organisations in a bid to improve children's welfare under the ''We Change'' slogan.

Households are being encouraged to resist the urge to turn on their TV sets for that entire week.

''We do not hate TV. Neither are we against technology,'' said Chaiwat Chaijaruwanich, one of the campaign organisers.

''The campaign is challenging in the sense that it can make the consumers think that they have the power to choose.

''Elders always blame TV for the rising consumerism in children. Some parents even believe that TV can cause depression in children.

''But still, most parents watch TV day in and day out, without realising that they too are hooked to it,'' he said.

Mr Chaiwat said encouraging people in this way to turn off the TV for a week was nothing new. In North America and Europe there had been many such campaigns run by the TV Turn Off Network, which had been active since 1999.

In the US, a non-profit organisation, TV Free America, encouraged viewers, in particular children, to watch only good programmes and spend less time in front of television sets. The campaign aimed to empower consumers to reject the bad content in the media.

This would, in turn, put pressure on the channels to screen better shows.

''Most TV viewers in Thailand think they have no choice and they have to put up with any programme offered.

''We hope this campaign will encourage people to say no if they really feel that the quality of TV programmes is unacceptable,'' said Mr Chaiwat. The group hopes to sign up 555 participating households.

More than 120 people signed up for the campaign when it was unveiled at the Bangkok International Book Fair at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre on Friday.

The campaign will also include the promotion of health-related activities for people of all ages at Chatuchak Park on April 21, at Victory Monument on April 24 and Siam Square on April 26, all starting at 5pm.

The group will hold a big gathering, dubbed TV Fasting Experiences, on April 29 at Suan Santichaiprakan Park on Phra Arthit road from 10am to 8pm. There will be concerts, short film presentations, and other cultural performances.

Those who are interested can apply at www.wechange555.com

The launch of a Buy Nothing Day, or ''BND'' campaign, is also planned before Christmas. BND is popular in Western countries and in Japan.

Kittichai Ngamchaipisit, 35, member of the Tonkla Group, one of the coalition members, said while Thailand is a Buddhist country people were not leading simple lives. He hoped the ''BND'' in Bangkok would challenge people to think before they go on a Christmas shopping spree.

Bangkok Post

Monday April 09, 2007