The Central Administrative Court in Bangkok rejected a government order to take iTV off the air, telling staff who defied the regime and kept the station on the air to continue working. The court decision was a major setback for the government, and especially PM’s Office Minister Khunying Dhipavadee Meksawan, who surprised everyone with an order to close the station last weekend.
The government ordered iTV staff to end broadcasting at midnight on Tuesday. At least one newspaper and some foreign news agencies even reported prominently that it had already closed. But the station never stopped broadcasting.
Staff defied the government order and kept it on the air overnight and through the day, although with crossed fingers as they awaited the court verdict. They thought they had only an outside chance of winning, and in fact were ready to close the station on Wednesday evening if the court ordered.
The court ruling recognised the government’s right to seize iTV, and ordered the station and its assets transferred to the Public Relations Department, as the government had ordered. The court also ruled the name of the station should be changed to TITV, for “Thai iTV”.
But the court rejected the order of Khunying Dhipavadee, backed by the cabinet, and said the current staff should keep the station operating. Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont had said on Tuesday the 1,010 staff would be given a three-month severance payment, although many expect to be rehired and to stay on at the station when the government takes over.
(Source: Bangkok Post)
