The State of News Presentation on Digital Television: A Decade Post-Transition

Abstract

This study aims to examine the state of news presentation, content topics and formats, presentation technologies, ethical issues, regulation, and audience responses concerning digital television news programs in Thailand a decade after the country's digital television transition. This research employs a mixed-methods approach comprising quantitative and qualitative content analysis of news programs from popular digital TV channels, in-depth interviews with media professionals, experts, and academics, and focus groups with audiences across four regions. Findings reveal that crime news and human interest stories (“Khao Chao Ban”) dominate airtime, particularly in infotainment ('news talk') and discussion formats. These formats often utilize sensationalist strategies, including specific topic selection, interviews with involved parties, emotive language, and production techniques such as split-screens, to enhance emotional engagement. Although audiences may find these formats engaging and easy to comprehend, they also express significant ethical concerns, including violations of privacy, the depiction of violence, factual inaccuracies, potential hate speech, and the reinforcement of social inequalities, particularly when covering vulnerable populations. Furthermore, experts and academics highlight a decline in journalistic depth, the blurring of lines between fact and opinion, and the inadequacy of existing self-regulatory mechanisms. The findings lead to policy recommendations directed at stakeholders such as the NBTC, the Thai Media Fund, media associations, media organizations, and the audience.