Thai PBS employees oppose legal amendments to change the organization's funding source
The Thai Public Broadcasting Service (Thai PBS) Employees' Union has issued a statement expressing its opposition to the draft amendment of the Thai Public Broadcasting Service Act. The primary issue that employees disagree with is the change in the source of the organization's funding.
Currently, Thai PBS receives funding from excise taxes collected on alcohol and tobacco, a mechanism designed to ensure the station's independence in reporting news and operating without political interference. However, the new draft amendment proposes changing this revenue source to the government's annual expenditure budget instead.
The employees' union believes that switching to the annual expenditure budget could affect the independence and operational flexibility of the public media organization. Furthermore, there are concerns that it could make Thai PBS's operations more susceptible to control or influence by political factions, which contradicts the core principle of a public media outlet that must serve the public interest.
The statement also indicates that organizational reform should focus on increasing governance and transparency in management rather than changing the source of funding. Employees believe that the existing financial structure is appropriate and stable enough to maintain the media's neutrality in the long term.
Currently, this situation remains an issue that requires close monitoring, with the Thai PBS Employees' Union confirming that it will continue to oppose this draft law to protect the principles of public media and to reassure society that Thai PBS will remain an independent and accountable space for news.