The Office of the Public Sector Development Commission instructed the Public Relations Department (PRD) - which now runs the station - to revise the proposal within three weeks.

"The proposal lacks clear goals and work targets. It is clearly based on past income of iTV," commission secretary-general Thosaporn Sirisumphand said.

He said the department must focus more on knowledge-based and news programmes for TITV. iTV programming was too profit-oriented.

TITV is the new name of iTV. It has become a state-operated broadcaster after its owners failed to pay more than Bt100 billion in concession fees and fines. Its concession reverted to the Prime Minister's Office as a result.

The Administrative Court requires the office to guarantee uninterrupted broadcasts. The office assigned the PRD to run the station as a "service-delivery unit", or SDU, which is a government body with streamlined work procedures and quasi-autonomy.

Currently, it has been broadcasting usual iTV programming.

PRD director-general Pramoj Rathvinij yesterday said he would submit the revised proposal next week.

In a related development, former senator Dr Niran Pitakwatchara called on the government to transform TITV into a public-service organisation.

"Being an SDU will adversely affect the overall effort of media reform that intends to distribute broadcast frequencies to the public, not the government sector," Niran said.

He chairs a panel appointed by Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont developing a master plan to promote the use of media resources for social and political reform.

According to Niran, it is better to establish a public organisation to run TITV and allow it to operate as a public-service broadcaster.

A royal decree establishing the organisation must make the station free from political or business interference or influence and reliance on advertising income, he said.

"I am going to present our recommendations to Prime Minister's Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan so they can be presented to the Cabinet," Niran said.

Niran-panel member Charoen Kampirapap said if it remained an SDU the station would be identical to the old iTV.

Prime Minister's Office Minister Khunying Dhipavadee Meksawan placed the PRD in charge of TITV. She backs the SDU idea.

Dhipavadee established a panel to solicit public opinion on the future of TITV. Its chairwoman, Darunee Hirunrak, said it would meet tomorrow. It has one month to complete its task.

Speaking to the "Siam This Morning" television programme, Darunee hoped the government would create both an independent and a public station.

"If this happens it will be good for both the government and the country," she said.