Published on May 30, 2005

The chairman of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) yesterday claimed the panel could not finish checking the broadcasting power of community radio stations because the time slated by the government was too short.

General Chuchart Promprasit said the NTC had been given from May 27 to June 15 to do the job, but it could not finish in time because of constant problems.

The NTC would check on the stations’ broadcasting power to see that they were within the legal limits and not interfering with other signals, especially aeronautical radio communications, Chuchart said.

Regulations prohibit community stations from using more than 30 watts for broadcast, limit their antennas to no more than 30 metres and air their programmes over a 15-kilometre radius only. Breaking the rules would bring suspension, Chuchart said.

Since closure of all community stations was not an option, the problem of frequency interference would continue, he said.

Prime Minister’s Office Minister Suranand Vejjajiva said he would meet a group of community radio operators next week to discuss ways for them to stay in line with the government’s stated policy.

“As the caretaker, we are willing to listen to all sides, but we prefer the community radio operators to come up with the appropriate guideline themselves, both in broadcasting and regulations,” he said.

Suranand urged local residents to participate in checking on their community radio stations.

Budsarakham Sinlapalavan

The Nation

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