Published: 20/07/2010 at 12:00 AM
Newspaper section: News
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has suggested the censorship board reconsider its ban on the TV commercial “Thailand, We Apologise”.
Mr Abhisit said on Monday he has watched the advertisement on the internet and he thinks its producers only had good intentions in getting their message across to the Thai people.
The prime minister said the producers wanted to instil a sense of responsibility in all Thais and encourage them to take action to correct past mistakes.
The prime minister said he has no idea why the commercial has fallen foul of the censors.
The censorship board is made up of representatives from all free TV channels.
The board has replaced the now-defunct Radio and Television Broadcasting Regulatory Board, which was under the Public Relations Department.
The commercial was produced by a group calling itself Positive Network. It is made up of members of the advertising and public relations industries along with social networks.
The commercial features scenes of riots and arson during May, clashes between security forces and protesters, and demonstrations by both the red shirt United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship and the yellow shirt People’s Alliance for Democracy.
The commercial was first screened to enthusiastic applause at an event called “Ignite Thailand” held at Lumpini Park on June 16.
The censors said the commercial has been banned because it could create conflict and there is a risk of lawsuits being filed by parties affected by the riots.
Mr Abhisit said he has discussed the matter with PM’s Office Minister Ong-art Klampaibul, who is in charge of state media.
Mr Abhisit said the censors should step forward to offer an explanation of why they have banned the advertisement.
They should listen to the voices of others and review their decision, Mr Abhisit said, adding he did not think the content of the commercial had any strong political leanings.
Mr Ong-art said no government agencies have been involved in censorship of TV commercials.
Mr Ong-art said the disbandment of government censors followed complaints of heavy state interference.
It is agreed that censorship responsibilities rest with members of the censorship board from each television channel who decide for themselves if commercials break the law, Mr Ong-art said.
He said open-minded judgement and tolerance towards different views will help create a good atmosphere in the country.
He said he has raised the matter with the censorship board and they said the ban on the commercial is their collective decision.
The board has told the producer of the advertisement to “correct it” and resubmit it for approval, Mr Ong-art said, adding that he has watched it and he saw nothing amiss.
Bhanu Inkawat, previously a well-known advertiser and founder of the Positive Network, said the producer will make changes to the commercial so it can gain approval to go on air.
*Bron: Bangkok Post / www.bangkokpost.com *