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Published on July 7, 2007

Culture Minister Khunying Khaisri Sri-aroon has thrown a lifeline to television-programme producers up in arms about proposed content restrictions.

She said yesterday she would take complaints by television-station executives and programme makers into account.

"We will have further discussions before the government comes to a conclusion," she said.

Television producer Jamnan Siritan yesterday said the "plan is impractical. If it takes effect, it will literally kill television producers."

Associations of television professionals are vehemently against the government's restrictions on programmes containing sex, violence and bad language.

The Public Relations Department amended content restrictions late last month to the dismay of the industry.

Jamnan alerted Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont to the opposition via government spokesman Yongyuth Mayalarp.

Meanwhile, National Legislative Assembly member Wallop Tangkhananurak argued the air-time restrictions were necessary.

"They are key to a rating system," he said.

Wallop chairs the assembly's committee on the affairs of children, women, the elderly and disabled persons.

Jamnan said the industry supported a rating system "but we can't accept the air-time restrictions".

The industry believes the PRD has "failed to consider impacts on all stakeholders" and wants it to discuss changes with television companies.

"We seriously support the development of media for children, but the development process should also listen to all relevant parties," Jamnan continued in a statement.

Supporters of the air-time-restrictions noted many countries, such as Canada and Australia, had similar schemes.

"By limiting some programmes to a specific time of the day, we can protect the children," Ithipol Pretiprasong, of the National Institute for Child and Family Development, said.

Jamnan said the PRD plan was based on old research that concluded television was a highly influential medium for children.

"But today, a recent survey finds children spend up to 50 hours a week on the Internet," Jamnan said.

"The PRD should come to talk with television producers if it wants more programmes for children. We can work out a solution," Jamnan said.

Chularat Saengpassa

The Nation