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Published on February 16, 2008

Optimism, as well as a sense of defiance, marked the first day of public-service television news. The station touched upon a highly sensitive issue in one of its news programmes.

The news documentary looked at the October 6, 1976 bloodbath at Thammasat University, less than a week after new Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, in a CNN interview, attempted to distance himself from the event and downplayed it.

In that interview, Samak said one "unlucky" person only had died, contrary to an official death toll of more than 40.

TPBS broadcast footage of turmoil and violence from the day, and interviews with those involved.

And, despite Samak's conspicuous announcement yesterday that the government would "revamp" government-run Channel 11, turning it into a "modern" news and information station - supposedly competing with TPBS - there was excitement and anticipation among TPBS news staff as they went to air for the first time.

The station has been running children's programmes and documentaries since February 1.

TPBS personnel have pledged to turn the station - which was previously privately owned - into a genuine public-service broadcaster. Set up as an "independent" station in 1995, iTV, as it was initially known, was controversially taken over by former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra in 2000.

The station was virtually seized by the state after the September coup in 2006, after being ruled to have violated its concession contract with the government. It was renamed TiTV.

The atmosphere at TPBS yesterday was lively as the broadcaster got back to the business of reporting the news.

Crews were dispatched and the station's newsroom was a hive of activity.

The event attracted members of the news media from other organisations, keen to report on the country's first public-service broadcast.

Acting TPBS executive editor Teerat Ratanasevi said employees were happy to be back on the job. He described the event as a "rebirth".

"Now we are looking forwards, to how we cover the news for people. We believe TPBS is an alternative station for them," he said.

He said the station's style would not overemphasise political or Bangkok news. It will spread its resources over the whole country and activities of society, he added.

Teerat said it would cover all news for all people.

Teerat added that the editorial staff felt no pressure from the government. The only pressure is ensuring viewers receive the best product possible, he said.

Acting director Thepchai Yong told employees the board would handle the government, according to Teerat.

TPBS environment reporter Budsakorn Angkanit was excited about yesterday's debut broadcast.

Staff are not thinking about the old TiTV, she said. They have moved on and today are thinking only of how to make the new public service worthwhile for viewers and the country, Budsakorn said.

Thepchai was pleased with the inaugural effort. He said the station aimed to be a medium for the whole family. There will be emphasis on investigative and in-depth reporting.

Viewers polled said the station resembled the old TITV. They want to see more documentaries.

"I want to see more investigative, in-depth news and analysis and foreign news," said one viewer.

She suggested the station scrap soap operas and news-talk programmes, available on free-to-air stations.

The Nation