Democrats say govt forced broadcast of party general meeting off the air

Democrat spokesman Chavanond Intarakomalyasut said the station did not leave the party enough time to lease airtime on other TV channels after refusing to air the recorded proceedings of the party’s general meeting.
“It seemed they intended to cause this blunder because they informed us of the cancellation only one hour before the airing,” he said.
The Democrats wanted to show the proceedings of Saturday’s general assembly from 10-11am on Sunday and was willing to pay for the airtime.
The party had complied with the requirement of MCOT Plc, which operates Modernine TV, to submit the tape to the station before 6pm on Saturday for checking, he said.
MCOT said the tape did not pass its screening but failed to mention which part was not approved, he said.
Bangkok MP Natthapol Teepsuwan said the cancellation was likely ordered by politicians supervising the TV station.
Democrat MP Boonyod Suk-thinthai urged Chakkraphan Yomchinda, MCOT’s acting president, to explain whether the pulling of the show was interference in the work of a media outlet or not.
The Democrats would ask the House committee on development of politics, mass media and public participation to investigate, party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva  said.