Political Communication in Media Society: Thai Public Broadcasting Service (TPBS)

Abstract

     This study is aimed to analyze the performance of the Thai Public Service Broadcasting (TPBS) as mediated political communication in society. The literature on the political communication in media society proposed by Jürgen Habermas was used as a framework for the investigation relating to media normative principles of structure and performance based on public interest. The study was based on the following events: after the coup in May 1992, the media was manipulated by state power that caused establishment of the Independent Television (ITV); in the 2006 coup, the Independent Television was the free of domination, that brought about establishing the Thai Public Service Broadcasting (TPBS) in 2008. Especially, this study concentrates on TPBS performance during 2008-2009. This study is a qualitative research by analysis of the documents, searching for information from thorough interviews of 4 groups: the policy stakeholders, the audiences council of TPBS, the performers of TPBS, and the performers of media and intellectuals. The result of this study found that TPBS tried to establish the self-regulating media being independence from state and capital power. However, the regulation of the structure of media are set by the state, especially the budget of TPBS gains from earmarked tax (liquor-tobacco) provided by the state. Therefore, TPBS seemingly became of state ownership and it has been influenced by the state. It can be said that the possibility of governmental interventions can lead to media self-censorship as a means to avoid unfavorable regulation or to ensure favorable regulation. During the political crisis in May, 2010, TPBS tried to avoid broadcasting unfavorable program for the state and to reject presentation in the anti-state direction. Media self-censorship decreases the media's capacity and readiness to perform that role. In conclusion, there are dilemmas between governmental interventions which can lead to media self-censorship and insufficiency of citizen participation to support the TPBS.