Digital public-TV licences: Give-aways draw flays

The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) recently voted to grant four of the 12 digital TV licences earmarked for providers of public television services to existing TV stations, prompting criticism from two of its five commissioners and an academic.

The new licences are being offered as Thailand moves ahead with the process of digitising its TV transmission system.

Tawatchai Jitpanan, a member of the NBTC’s five-person broadcasting committee, said: “We will have a total of 48-50 new TV stations using the digital transmission technology [that will replace the existing analog system]. Of these, 12-16 are allocated for community TV stations.

“Another 24 licences are earmarked for commercial TV stations, while 12 are designated for public TV services. However, four of these 12 licences will be granted [to TV Channel 5, Channel 11 and Thai PBS without any bidding].

“The [broadcasting committee] needs to be more transparent and make decisions based on detailed studies,” Tawatchai said. 

Supinya Klangnarong, who like Tawatchai voted against the proposal, said: “It’s unacceptable for the NBTC to issue these licences in the absence of any proper qualifications. The vote was 3-2 in favour of this proposal,” with Supinya and Dr Tawatchai casting the “no” votes.

“I think it’s also unfair to other existing TV stations, since Channel 3, Channel 7 and Channel 9 will have to bid for licences, but Channel 5 and Channel 11 won’t,” Supinya said. “Thai PBS, which would be given two licences, may be the closest to a public TV service, but the other two stations are not, and they will be allowed to operate both analog and digital TV services during this transition period.

“Both Channel 5 and Channel 11 have adverts or sponsors, so they are not qualified to get public TV licences. The NBTC will miss an opportunity to reform the country’s broadcasting sector if we do not ensure operators are properly qualified for each type of new digital TV licence.

“We need these stations to meet the preconditions for public TV licences before they are granted. For example, Channel 11, which belongs to the government, needs to qualify as a public TV provider, not just a mouthpiece of the government.

“Regarding Channel 5, it needs to change its programming to meet the criteria for public TV. Currently, Channel 5 also carries commercials, so it is unfair to other stations if it is granted a public TV licence. The NBTC would face complaints if it went ahead with the issuing of public TV licences improperly. We urge the public to join us in opposing the issuing of these licences.

“The NBTC also needs to come up with clear rules and regulations for others to qualify for the remaining eight public TV licences for education, national security, agriculture, etc. “In the end, we don’t want to see all these of 11 or 12 new stations becoming pro-government TV stations, which does not meet the definition of public television,” Supinya said.

Supaporn Phokaew, head of the mass communications department at Chulalongkorn University, said: “Public-service TV needs to be clearly defined as we transition from concessions to licences. Otherwise, it’s unfair competition among existing operators switching to digital TV. We need to restructure and reform ownership in this sector.

“Public TV services should also serve the needs of diverse ethnic groups,” he said.

“Overall, the public will have to voice their opposition to the NBTC plan, with mass-media academics among the leaders. People will have to follow up on this issue. The TV spectrum belongs to everyone, so the public has to ensure that it is properly used for the public benefit.

“The NBTC does not need to hurry – there is no potential loss of economic opportunity. There are high expectations surrounding the quality of public TV stations, which are supposed to be free of political and government interference, as well as vested business interests so they can serve the needs of underprivileged people. There are now groups like NBTC Watch, which will closely monitor the development of these issues. The public should join them if they think the NBTC is not doing the right thing regarding the issuing of public TV licences,” Supaporn said.