NBTC forum outlines qualities needed for new commissioners
THE NEW commissioners of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) should be knowledgeable individuals with management skills, and dare to defend the regulartory body from political interference, a forum was told yesterday.
One of the panellists, NBTC commissioner Prawit Leesatapornwongsa, said the new commissioners should be able to keep pace with the fast changing world of technology. They should be equipped with management skills and could coordinate well with related local and international agencies.
He made the remark at a NBTC Public Forum on the topic of the new
NBTC, which was co-hosted by the NBTC, the Foundation for Consumers,the non-government organisation NBTC Policy Watch, and the Thai Broadcast Journalist Association. Some of the NBTC candidates also attended the forum.
The forum aimed to convey public opinions to the NBTC member
selection committee and the NBTC candidates of the qualities needed for the new commissioners.
Another panellist Supap Kleekajai, president of the Digital TV Broadcasting Association (Thailand), said key qualifications
of the new commissioners include their independency and their ability
to fend off possible political interventions in the organisation.
Moreover, they should have a good understanding of the current situation
of the broadcasting and telecom industries and should focus on
supporting the industries to overcome the difficulties, instead of
simply imposing rigid regulations.
The terrestrial digital TV operators have requested relief measures from the NBTC and the government to help them stay afloat, amid intensifying competition among themselves and with content providers on social networks.
Supap added that the new commissioners should not be a person with a
“negative attitude” towards the media industry. If so, this will send out a
negative message to the industry.
The Foundation for Consumers’ Secretary Saree Ongsomwang said that the new NBTC should be more effective in enforcing consumer protection rules.
The new NBTC body will comprise seven commissioners with each coming from one of the seven sectors: radio broadcasting , TV broadcasting, telecommunications , engineering, law, economics, and consumer protection.
The Secretariate of the Senate closed applications for the
seven NBTC seats on January 14, with almost 90 applicants. The
names of the qualified candidates will be announced on February 5.
NBTC selection committee will then shortlist the applicants to 14
candidates and seven of them will be selected by the National Legislative Assembly to form the new NBTC.
