MCOT president Pongsak Payakwichian yesterday defended himself against allegations from MCOT staff who accused him of bending to political pressure, saying no one could "play him like a puppet" if the issues at hand were not right.

During a press conference, Pongsak, responding to protesters' accusations that he was tampering with MCOT's programming, announced he wanted this coup to be the last and had decided to head MCOT out of his own free will and the urgent necessity to strengthen state media and protect press freedom.

"I want the Thai News Agency to be a truly global media organisation, much like CNN, and I am sorry I have not expressed my intentions clearly and widely enough. I have only spoken with senior management on this matter," said Pongsak, adding that the two parties caught in this internal conflict had not been "communicating".

MCOT newswoman Orawan Klimviratkul on Tuesday led hundreds of MCOT staff members wearing black outfits in protest against Pongsak's appointment.

Orawan said all of those who protested still respected the organisation, but it was how MCOT had handled the matter that had upset many of the protesters.

"I would like to reassure people we are not fighting a particular enemy; we are simply protecting our organisation from being looted," said Orawan.

Orawan cited a recent closed-door meeting between PM's Office Minister Thirapat Serirangsan, a senior MCOT official and three television producers as a source of their concern.

Thirapat also called a meeting with three content producers - Kamnoon Sithisamarn, Nation Broadcasting president Adisak Limprungpatanakij and Chermsak Pinthong - to discuss the programme.

Orawan said all programming should be determined by a committee of schedulers and programmers and that each producer should receive equal treatment.

To say that the protesters' main interests were merely to protect their fat paycheques and the Thaksin system was an insult to all MCOT staff, she added.

Pongsak said his attempt to reform the largely state-owned news organisation was in the public interest. With 45 years of media-related work experience and fighting for people and press freedom under his belt, he said he believed this to be the last chance to lay a solid foundation for the country's media and prevent future coups.

Pongsak said he was willing to listen to what each party wanted MCOT to become but also had his own plans for the agency. He insisted he was only carrying out government policies and could not please everyone.

MCOT dissidents say they believe the new prime minister's policies are "very good" but demand transparency and moral accountability from his ministers.

Staff are concerned about further schisms within the organisation.

Pongsak said he understood Orawan's complaints and acknowledged that previously there had been no communication. He said he was trying to protect MCOT, not interfere with it.

MCOT deputy chairman Chitnarong Kunakridatikarn said he was simply told to meet the minister without knowing what the meeting would be about.

MCOT staff also raised doubts earlier about a possible conflict of interest in Pongsak becoming MCOT's acting president while remaining vice chairman of Matichon Plc - since both companies are listed in the media sector.

Supakit Jirapraditkul, executive vice president of the Stock Exchange of Thailand, brushed off the accusation.

"The exchange has considered this issue but sees no conflict. Even though both companies are in the media business, they are in different segments. MCOT operates radio and television channels, but Matichon Plc is involved in print media," he said.