PAD PROTEST COVERAGE Chalerm bans ASTV from cable channels

[limbo]

PAD PROTEST COVERAGE

Chalerm bans ASTV from cable channels

By The Nation 14th June, 2008

Published on June 14, 2008

 

 

Interior minister warns operators of immediate jail if they refuse to obey

 

 

Interior Minister Chalerm Yoobamrung yesterday banned the broadcasting of the ASTV channel, which provides live coverage of the People's Alliance for Democracy protest in Bangkok, through cable TV networks nationwide, and threatened to jail offending cable TV operators.

 

 

The new policy drew strong opposition from various groups, including cable TV operators, senators and ASTV owner and PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul. They said it violated the basic rights recognised by Constitution, especially the right to receive information and freedom of expression.

 

 

Chalerm announced his controversial ban at the monthly ministerial meeting yesterday morning, which was broadcast live via video conference with 76 governors nationwide.

 

 

"Write this down. The broadcasting of ASTV through cable TV is a crime according to the Criminal Law Article 85 and the owner could be jailed for at least six months," he told the governors.

 

 

"You, as governors, have to ask cable TV operators to stop such broadcasting. If they fail to do so, you should file a lawsuit against them. Don't worry. I have studied the legal issues carefully before announcing this policy. Call the ministry if you have any questions," he said.

 

 

Cable TV operator Surat Phiphatchaisiri, of KTV in Khon Kaen, said he felt confused about the policy and cast doubts on its legality.

 

 

"As far as I know, the ASTV broadcasting issue is still protected under the Administrative Court. How can a government have such a policy? If implemented, it will significantly affect our customers, who are largely fans of ASTV. It will also affect our income," he said.

 

 

"The Cable TV Association is now discussing this issue in its meeting in Pattaya," Surat said.

 

 

Bamrung Wasantakorn, operator of KCTV in Nakhon Ratchasima and an adviser to the Cable TV Association, said the ban was illegal as it violated media and consumer rights.

 

 

Both operators said they believed Chalerm's policy would backfire on the government as the ban would encourage more people join the PAD's movement.

 

 

ASTV owner Sondhi said the ban violated constitutional rights and its victims could complain to the Administrative Court.

 

 

"It is a misdirected policy. Chalerm does not realise that what he has done will destroy him in the end," Sondhi said.

 

 

Senator and lawyer Warin Thiamcharas said Chalerm's ban was against Article 45 of the Constitution and would be an act of media intervention if it continued.

 

 

PAD spokesman Suriyasai Katasila said yesterday evening that the group was considering sending hundreds of its supporters to Chalerm's residence to demonstrate against his controversial policy.

 

[Faustian]

Wow! This gets more and more serious.

[Flashermac]

From the Bangkok Post:

 

Blocking the message

 

 

Minister Chalerm Yubamrung, who kicked off a new censorship row with an order to cable-TV broadcasters to block the opposition's ASTV station, denied on Saturday he intends to try to close the satellite- and Internet-based TV station.

 

ASTV, owned and operated by People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) founder Sondhi Limthongkul, is currently broadcasting saturation coverage of the PAD's anti-government rallies in central Bangkok.

 

Pol Capt Chalerm told a press conference on Saturday that members of the PAD and some senators had misunderstood his order on Friday.

 

He told provincial governors to order all cable-TV operators in the provinces to stop carrying the ASTV signal, and threatened to jail any operator who defied him.

 

He claimed he ordered the ban because PAD members and supporters called for the overthrow of the government of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and used "rude words".

 

However, it is far from clear that the minister has any authority to halt or otherwise control broadcasts by satellite TV.

 

Several cable TV operators in provinces immediately suspended broadcasting the ASTV coverage of the PAD rallies following his threat of taking legal action.

 

Mr Sondhi, a core PAD leader and publisher of the Manager Group of newspapers, and founded ASTV at the height of anti-Thaksin Shinawatra rallies in 2005 and 2006.

 

The PAD decided late Friday to file a complaint with the Administrative Court against Mr Chalerm becase of his issuing the order.

 

Mr Chalerm said that ASTV itself is protected by the Administrative Court, but legal action could be taken against its operators as well as cable TV stations which relay its programming if the ASTV commits acts which are "troublesome to the public" as well as using strong words such as chasing the government from power.

 

Dismissing charges that he was interfering with the media, [color:red]Mr. Chalerm said he only wanted to "enforce the law." He has yet to indicate what law he is enforcing.[/color]

[Faustian]

Once a thug, always a......

[Flashermac]

This "Police Captain" crap always pisses me off. He resigned from the effing Police force! He is not a cop of any rank. I'm not Army Sergeant Flashermac anymore. Yet Thais always look strangely at me when I challenge using someone's non-existant rank. We had a prof a few years back who was always listed as Dr Asst Prof 2d Lt ---. The guy was nearly 60 years old and had been out of the RT Army for 37 years!

 

 

 

[Hardy641]

Another low point of many lately in Thai democracy.

Who cares about a free press and freedom of expression anymore?

Chalerm should step down and take responsibility.

I know I am just dreaming......

[CTO]

Does ASTV have a broadcast license?