While reports in mainstream media were dominated by pictures of teary-eyed employees and discussions of legal complications, the majority of bloggers and comment writers on their sites sought to address the root cause of the broadcast journalists' woes. iTV reporters came under attack often for the fact that they "tolerated" it when Thaksin Shinawatra came along and took over the "independent" news station in 2000.

iTV employees were also reminded that their plight was the direct consequence of Thaksin having no qualms about selling this piece of his "assets" to foreigners.

One blogger posted several harsh questions for iTV journalists to answer: Why didn't you protest the Thaksin takeover and insist that the news station should be independent of vested interests or political groups? Why did you let those who protested, the "iTV rebels", fight alone? Why didn't you tell the public that Thaksin's attempt to amend the iTV contract with the state so he would pay Bt700 million less per year was unfair to the state? Why didn't you tell the public that there are many unethical things in the Temasek deal? Have you done your jobs as journalists without conflicts of interest? Have you protected national interests?

Another blogger was even harsher, writing scalding criticism under the headline: "Even when nearing their last breath, they show no professionalism and ethics." The blogger went on: "Even when the screen is about to become dark, we have not seen any show of true journalistic spirit from iTV."

One blogger advised iTV employees to listen to the popular song "Fool Again". She went over the lyrics line by line and explained why it was so similar to their fate. "Can't believe that I'm the fool again. I thought this love would never end. How was I to know? You never told me..." This particular part, she said, summed up the roller-coaster relationship between iTV reporters and their de facto former employer, ousted leader Thaksin Shinawatra.

"I should have seen it coming. I should have read the signs. Anyway, I guess it's over." This part, she said, could also be applied to how Thaksin's scheme for iTV escaped the reporters.

Another blog listed the names of iTV executives who it said either jumped ship or tried to hide behind the journalists who are losing their jobs. "It's a travesty of justice that the ones who are supposed to take most of the blame - those who have exploited business and political interests from iTV - are staying aloof," the blogger wrote.

 Boonklee Plangsiri, who has resigned as chairman of iTV, was taunted by a few bloggers who claimed he jumped ship without showing much care or compassion toward the journalists. Boonklee, who is also executive chairman of Shin Corp, joined Somprasong Boonyachai, president of Advanced Info Service (AIS) - Shin's cellular flagship - who has also stepped down as a director of iTV.

"One of those who fled the scene first was Boonklee. A show of great professionalism and responsibility toward [ex-] employees," the blogger wrote. Mainstream media reports said the management had set aside a certain amount of labour compensation money to help iTV employees after the station's failure to pay concession fees led to the current takeover process by the state.

Many blogs decried "one-sidedness" in iTV's reporting of the crisis, which they said made the interim government look like a dictatorial villain trying to take control of an "independent" private TV station. "Talking about one-sided reporting at its best," charged another blogger, "there are other stories behind the tears but disappointingly the public has not been informed about them".

Jintana Panyaarvudh

The Nation