Channel returns to counter PAD output
Satellite-based PTV will return tomorrow to air pro-government programmes to counter the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) attempt to depose Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej and his cabinet.
The return of the station, which publicly supported then-prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra when he faced street rallies leading to the military coup two years ago, will be announced today, according to one of its founders, Jatuporn Phromphan.
Mr Jatuporn, who is an MP for the ruling People Power party (PPP), says the founders have decided to relaunch the station to protect democracy, which they say has been undermined by the PAD demonstration, especially the push for a new parliamentary system.
Another reason behind the PTV relaunch is that his group, most of whom are also leaders of the anti-coup United Front of Democracy against Dictatorship, could no longer sit idly by, listening to ''distorted'' information from the PAD, he said.
''We'll counter all the PAD's slanted information about democracy,'' said Mr Jatuporn.
PTV's programmes would air via satellite, similar to the arrangement at ASTV, which is owned by core PAD leader Sondhi Limthongkul.
PTV programmes would be transmitted via the MV5 channel of the Thai Com satellite network. They decided not to use government facilities for the transmission to head off criticism.
Other PTV backers are former PTV president Veera Musikapong, former PM's Office minister Jakrapob Penkair and deputy government spokesman Natthawut Saikua.
The decision to relaunch PTV was made by the four operators, and they would discuss the issue with Mr Samak, Mr Jatuporn said.
''We're less patient than Mr Thaksin. If the four of us had been defamed in the way Mr Thaksin has been, we would have climbed on a stage at Sanam Luang to tell people how we have been bullied and humiliated over the past two years,'' he said.
Since the law does not allow him as a PPP MP to hold any stake in a media firm, he will host programmes for PTV for free, he said.
PTV was founded by the same group of people early last year to air anti-coup and pro-Thaksin content. Its programmes were initially aired via the Star Channel of MVTV station, until the state banned their broadcasts.
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