"I am against the temporary shutdown…Why doesn't the government find a way to ensure that the iTV can operate without interruption?" Thai Broadcast Journalists Association's president Thakerng Somsap said Monday.

PM's Office Minister Khunying Dhipavadee Meksawan earlier suggested that the temporary shutdown of iTV could be necessary due to complicated problems.

Speaking at the Thai Journalists Association, Nation Group editor Thepchai Yong also said he disagreed with temporary shutdown of iTV.

Anusorn Thamjai, who chairs Free Media Company, urged the government to allow iTV to operate without interruption given its contributions to the society.

"The station has done more than just giving information. Its investigative reports on corruption among police, for example, have helped the society. Due to its reports, the government has tackled many problems for the society," Anusorn said.

He called on people who loved iTV to step forward and help their favourite station.

Food vendor Paeng Tiwaworachai separately said she would be willing to donate Bt200 if that would save the iTV from going off air.

"I hope other people will pool the money to save this station. It delivers fast news and it truly reflects social problems," she said.

Another vendor in Nakhon Ratchasima, Jariyaporn Sawaengchai, said iTV had many good programmes. One of her favourite programmes was Ruam Rang Ruam Jai, which she said clearly extended help to the disprivileged in the society.

"I will be happy to donate some money for iTV too," she said.

In the meantime, the staff of the embattled iTV channel issued a statement urging the government not to temporarily take the channel off the air.

In its statement, the staff warned that the temporary shutdown of the station could affect the public information service and affect the national interest. They said if the station was allowed to go on its operation, it would generate enough income to repay to MCOT Plc.

MCOT will have to spend Bt400million on iTV, if MCOT board today agrees to manage the iTV.

The money is needed to fund the iTV operations. In 2006, iTV generated about Bt2billion income and Bt900 profit.

If MCOT extends help, iTV will be required to repay the Bt400million amount plus 10 per cent more for management fees.

PM's Office permanent secretary Jullayuth Hiranyawasit said he personally believed that the iTV operations should go on without any interruption because a temporary shutdown, even if it would be just 30 days, could create more problems.

"We can put iTV under the management of MCOT Plc for, say one year, while we sort out pending problems," he said.

On February 27, the Cabinet passed a resolution that if iTV could not pay a fee, fine and interest of more than Bt100 billion by today, it could lose its concession.

The Nation