The scandals at Channel 5 and Channel 11 that have dominated media headlines for the past week are just a tip of an iceberg of underlying problems impeding long-delayed broadcast media reform, but the scandals are not without a positive spin-off. At the very least, they have put the issue of media reform back under the spotlight and driven home thThe scandals at Channel 5 and Channel 11 that have dominated media headlines for the past week are just a tip of an iceberg of underlying problems impeding long-delayed broadcast media reform, but the scandals are not without a positive spin-off.   At the very least, they have put the issue of media reform back under the spotlight and driven home the need for liberalisation of the airwaves, rather than being concentrated in the hands of a group of state agencies, as they are today.   How the Thaksin government will intervene in the controversies at Channel 5 and Channel 11 will determine the future course of media reform. The crux of the issue at the two stations is much larger than just whether Channel 11 will be allowed to technically split its frequencies, or if there is anything shady about the process of Channel 5 being listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand.   The two TV stations are part

Flattery, it seems, has become the order of the day within the highest corridors of power. When in doubt, praise, flatter, curry favour, back-scratch and/or ingratiate. You can’t go wrong. And your success is guaranteed as well, and instantly, too. If any proof is needed, just re-read this news item that appeared over the Songkran holiday: A group of loyalists from the Thai Rak Thai Party led by secretary-general Suriya Jungrungreangkit paid a visit to Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and did something quite out of the ordinary. However, the fact that something extraordinary transpired isn’t what made this gathering stand out. In fact, these days it doesn’t matter if you turn tradition upside down or inside out as long as you say something that people want to hear. If you hit the right chord, you can get away with just about anything. What was out of the ordinary that day was that the purpose of the visit was supposed to have been that the gathered loyalists could ask for Songkran blessings from their senior. But what actually happened is best expressed by this statement from the group’s leader: “We come here today to pledge our loyalty to you, Mr Prime Minister. We promise that we will be obedient subordinates forever . . .” It might not have come as a shock