TITV's future undecided, it's now up to govt

The committee responsible for gathering public views on TITV's future was unable to reach a definitive recommendation yesterday and decided to pass the hot potato on to the government. Committee chairwoman Darunee Hiranrak said the final meeting agreed on two options to be put for the cabinet's consideration _ whether to turn TITV into a public television network or for it to remain an independent broadcaster.

''It is up to the government if it has the courage and willingness to keep the promise made to the public to create a public media. Both options give public media, but they differ in form,'' she said.

In principle, being a public television station will mean TITV cannot make a profit from advertising revenue. It would receive financial support mainly from public donations, ''sin taxes'' and funds from the Thai Health Promotion Foundation.

If it remains an independent station, a 51% stake would be distributed to the public and the rest sold to non-governmental organisations working for social and human development. It would be able to make profits from advertising.

The government took control of iTV, now called TITV, after the operator failed to pay concession fees and fines plus interest last month to the Prime Minister's Office. iTV was controlled by Shin Corp before it was taken over by the Public Relations Department (PRD).

A network of civic groups submitted a letter to Prime Minister's Office Minister Dhipavadee Meksawan, calling on the government to turn TITV into a public service television without it coming under the control of the PRD.

The groups included the Young People for Democracy of Thailand, the Black May Heroes' Relatives Committee, the Businessmen's Club for Democracy, the Federation of State Enterprise's Labour and the Committee for Human Rights Campaign.

The submission of the letter was made before the final meeting of the committee responsible for gathering public opinions on the future of TITV began.

Metha Maskhao, a representative of the groups, said they were uncertain whether TITV would really be free from state control if it the department continued to administer it.

Bangkok Post

Last Updated : Wednesday April 11, 2007