Wasan's style too 'different' for MCOT

The sudden termination has once again reminded people of MCOT being in the "twilight zone" - a term coined to imply its dependence on politics.

The list of its former bosses goes on forever, with few having been able to see out their contracts. One of its directors, Sangsai Sunthornwat, even got shot while on the job.

It is sad but true - no one can guarantee that the new president will serve an entire four-year term and certainly Wasan would not be the last case.

When the long-time journalist beat nine other candidates in the selection process, MCOT said he was qualified for the job with his professionalism, management skills and high morals. Yet, just a year and half later, MCOT's board of directors has decided it can't deal with Wasan's "different" working style.

The reason for the termination may not sound logical, but any political enthusiast could foresee Wasan's shaky future when the People's Power Party took over. Past and present MCOT bosses would have stayed comfortably afloat if they learned to maintain relations with the government.

However, Wasan was never a man's man and, even though he was not directly picked by the coup-makers, PPP always saw him as being the military's man.

Everyone could see that Wasan's days were numbered when in March Jakrapop Penkair, then PM's office minister, cited a Bt27-million loss incurred by MCOT. This did not overshadow Wasan's determination to do his best to stay on track with the 15 to 20 per cent projected growth. Despite that, his future at the MCOT was not ensured, because though his pursuit for quality news programmes was admirable and his neutral stance would have served him well, the board found his "different working ways" unworkable.

Following the announcement of his termination, the postings on the webboards were divisive: government supporters say he deserved the termination because his posting was the result of the coup; while those against the government say the termination is not justified.

"It's not a good reason to fire the man," says one user on pantip.com.

Unfortunately another posting read: "It's normal (for such a termination) … in the end the government media is government media."

Any political observer can easily see that, yet again, a government-controlled media outlet is caught in a vicious circle with Wasan being the latest casualty. Unfortunately, he won't be the last.

veen@nationgroup.com