Media organisations and iTV staff stepped up pressure on the government yesterday in a bid to prevent a temporary shutdown of the embattled station, which could hurt its 1,010 staff and thousands more working for producers if it sparks an exodus of advertisers.

The Cabinet is set to decide at its weekly meeting today if iTV should be taken off air while relevant parties try to sort out problems caused by its failure to pay its concession fee.

Thai Broadcast Journalists Association president Thakerng Somsap said yesterday: "I am against the temporary shutdown. Why doesn't the government find a way to ensure that iTV can operate without interruption?"

He was speaking in response to PM's Office Minister Khunying Dhipavadee Meksawan's suggestion that a temporary shutdown of iTV may be necessary due to "complicated problems".

Speaking at the Thai Journalists Association, Nation Group editor Thepchai Yong yesterday also voiced objection to Dhipavadee's suggestion.

Meanwhile, staff of the embattled channel and TV producers staged a protest at the Dusit Thani Hotel, where Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont was due to make a speech to mark Reporters Day.

News anchor Jom Phetpradap said: "As the representative of iTV staff, I assure you that the transfer of iTV assets to the PM's Office should not involve any problems. The government should act in the best interests of the public, not under the influence of some groups. We are making this move not for our benefit, but to protect the public's right to news reporting."

Jaturong Suk-iad, a representative of iTV's labour union, said if the station was closed, there would be no guarantee it would not be closed again in the future. This would affect employees who could face an uncertain future.

He also expressed surprise about Surayud's earlier assurance that iTV would not be taken off the air - despite the ownership change - and what influenced the change.

Traiphop Limpraphat, a repres-entative of 130 programme producers, also pleaded that iTV not be closed - as that would mean everyone would lose, particularly producers who have stocked up tapes for broadcasting. Aside from iTV staff, over 14,000 people could be hurt if the station was shut down, he warned.

"We are ready to work, no matter who owns the station," he said.

Before staging the gathering, iTV staff issued a statement urging the government not to take the channel off the air. They said even a temporary shutdown could affect the public information service and the national interest.

iTV staff said the government should put the public benefit first when it decides on the fate of the TV station. Failure to do so could subject the government to claims it worked to serve certain media, such as those that called for MR Pridiyathorn Devakula to resign as deputy prime minister and finance minister.

When explaining his reasons for quitting last week, Pridiyathorn said he did not "want to work in the climate of ambiguity [in regard to intentions towards him] and the influence of a certain media group". He was assumed to have referred to Sonthi Limthongkul's Manager Media outfit.

In their statement, iTV staff said the station would generate enough income to repay MCOT Plc if it was allowed to continue operating.

MCOT will have to spend Bt400 million on iTV, if the MCOT board agrees today to manage iTV temporarily. The money is needed to fund the station's operations.

Last year, iTV generated about Bt2 billion in income and profit of about Bt900 million. If MCOT extends assistance, iTV will be required to repay the Bt400 million plus 10 per cent more for management fees.

Anusorn Thamjai, who chairs the Free Media Company, threw his support behind iTV yesterday, urging the government not to take the station off air given its contributions to society.

"The station has done more than just give information. Its investigative reports on corruption among police, for example, have helped society. Due to its reports, the government has been able to tackle many problems," he said.

Anusorn also called on people who loved iTV to step forward and help their favourite station.

Food vendor Paeng Tiwaworachai said she would be willing to donate Bt200 if that would save the station from going off the air.

"I hope other people will pool their money to save this station. It delivers fast news and it truly reflects social problems," she said.

Another vendor in Nakhon Ratchasima, Jariyaporn Sawaengchai, said iTV had many good programmes. One of her favourite's was "Ruam Rang Ruam Jai", which clearly helped the underprivileged in the society.

"I will be happy to donate some money for iTV too," she said.

PM's Office permanent secretary Jullayuth Hiranyawasit said he personally believed that iTV operations should continue without any interruption because a temporary shutdown, even for 30 days, could create more problems.

"We can put iTV under the management of MCOT Plc for, say, one year, while we sort out pending problems," he said.

On February 27, the Cabinet passed a resolution that if iTV could not pay its concession fee, fine and interest of more than Bt100 billion by today, it could lose its concession.