Thai PBS Viewers' and Listeners' Council submits letter opposing amendment to funding law, fearing impact on media independence

Published 2026-10-17

The Viewers' and Listeners' Council of the Thai Public Broadcasting Service (Thai PBS) has submitted a letter to a parliamentary committee to express its opposition to the amendment of laws concerning the station's funding sources. The Council is deeply concerned that this change could affect the operations of the public media organization.

The key issue raised by the opposing group is the independence of the media in reporting news. If the sources of funding are altered, the station might become more reliant on government budgets or corporate groups, which contradicts the fundamental principles of being a public media entity that must remain neutral and free from interference by political factions or interest groups.

Thai PBS was established to serve as a media space that truly serves the public and society. Maintaining stable and transparent funding is therefore crucial, as it allows the media to hold the government accountable and present public issues straightforwardly without fear of any influence.

At present, the committee has received the petition for consideration and will discuss it in the next steps. The Viewers' and Listeners' Council has affirmed that it will monitor this matter closely to ensure that the legal amendment does not undermine the core principles that protect the independence of public media in Thailand.

Sources: thestandard.co

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