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Published on December 23, 2007

They said the sudden transfers, including that of news director Atcha Suwanpakpraek, were politically motivated.

Meanwhile a former news anchor at the station, Karuna Buakamsri, said the move did not bode well for the future of TITV as the transfers were not transparent or proper.

"As it's public television, the whole process should be carried out transparently and must be subject to scrutiny," Karuna told The Nation.

"But the transfers happened suddenly. It's not an accountable process," she said, adding that a committee of five persons should be set up before such a move.

Karuna, who was among 23 rebels who opposed Thaksin Shinawatra's takeover of the station back in 2001, when it was called iTV, said it was no secret that a number of staffers remained pro-Thaksin even after the government took the broadcaster over following financial problems.

The sudden transfers may be due to the kind of election-news coverage the military-appointed government wants to see, she said. "It could be about politics, because it's two days before election."

Daily-news editor Tuangporn Asavavilai led staff opposing the move. Some are wearing black in protest.

"Once we were accused of being a tool of the old power clique, but we managed to survive and prove ourselves good and impartial journalists," said Tuangporn, who is considered by anti-Thaksin critics as sympathetic to the ousted leader.

"This crisis may result in making TITV a tool for a new power group. This is a dark force that wants a share of the profits, and they may be coming from the media wing of the junta-appointed National Legislative Assembly."

Tuangporn said staff would petition the Administrative Court on Tuesday. They insist they will do their jobs covering the election today.

Sonthiyarn Chuenrutainaitham, who replaced Atcha, summoned reporters and editors to a meeting yesterday. He denied his appointment was political.

Pravit Rojanaphruk

The Nation