Bangkok:Mr. Supachai Jaisamut, a party-list MP and chairman of the legal affairs committee of the Bhumjaithai Party, addressed concerns regarding the proposed amendment to the Thai PBS Act, which would change the source of revenue from "operating funds" to the "annual budget." He questioned whether this change would compromise Thai PBS's independence and called for clarity on how independence would be affected.
According to Thai News Agency, Supachai clarified that the change in Thai PBS's funding source was not due to his authority to order the news to be broadcast. He distinguished between scrutinizing public funds and interfering with the media, affirming that Thai PBS has not lost its independence.
Supachai emphasized that changing the source of funding does not grant the government power to dictate what news Thai PBS should report or critique. He argued that the funding source and the power to determine news content are separate matters.
He further explained that if there are arguments suggesting Thai PBS will lose its independence once it transitions to the budget system, clarity is needed on who would have the authority to direct the editorial team and under what provisions the government might interfere.
Supachai provided an example, noting that the judiciary uses public funds and undergoes parliamentary budget review without government or parliamentary influence over court rulings. Therefore, inclusion in the budget system does not inherently lead to loss of independence.
He asserted that independence must be safeguarded by law and administrative structures, rather than being determined by how funds are received by the organization. Legal safeguards can be designed to prevent budget allocations from being used as a tool for pressure, maintaining a distinction between accountability for public funds and media freedom.
He concluded by stating, "Media independence must go hand-in-hand with responsibility for public funds. Thailand can have both."