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Published on February 16, 2008

The government has plans to revamp state-run Channel 11 to become a modern TV station for news and documentary programmes presented in a straightforward manner, Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej said yesterday.

"The revamped station will be run by professionals and everything will be legal and without government interference," he said.

Samak said he wanted the news programmes to be fair and not skewed to favour the government.

As it was not legally feasible to establish a new TV station at this time, the government had no choice but to opt for the modernisation of Channel 11, he said.

He also denied speculation about the removal of Pramoj Rathavinij from his position as director-general of the government's Public Relations Department, which oversees Channel 11.

PM's Office Minister Jakrapob Penkair, who is in charge of state media, said he would give priority to Channel 11 as part of a plan to improve state media. He said a committee would be set up to gather information and come up with recommendations.

"Channel 11 is well equipped and has hard-working staff. But the existing system and regulations, in addition to a shortage of funds, have hampered further development," Jakrapob said.

Public Relation Department (PRD) director-general Pramote Ratwinij responded to Samak's call to ensure that the PRD's Channel 11 can compete with the TPBS television station by saying that Channel 11 had faced staff reduction, which was a major obstacle.

"We cannot yet tell if we can compete. We are improving. We have full broadcasting equipment covering 90 per cent of the country, but we have staff shortages because we had to respond to the government policy [of staff reduction]."

The Nation