There is a clear distinction between a public broadcasting network and an independent commercial station relatively free from state control. Government leaders on a number of occasions referred to public service broadcasting and independent television as if they were the same thing. Put simply, the planned state-subsidised public service broadcasting network would aim to offer quality programming that helps to improve society in the long run, whereas a market-driven independent commercial network must cater to popular tastes, rely on advertisers for its survival and compete successfully with other networks to survive.

For a public TV station, the real power to control the quality of programming must be placed in the hands of the viewers. Under universal standards for public service broadcasting stations, an audience council must be established with members appointed from professional groups in different parts of the country. These council members will function as representatives of different sectors of society.

The agencies responsible must make it clear from the beginning that the new public TV station will not turn out to be something similar to Channel 11. Although some people might have the false impression that Channel 11 is a public TV station, it has never been one since the very first day of its existence because it failed to break free from political influence. Besides, the recent claim by some people at TITV that transforming the independent station into a public service broadcaster would amount to unnecessarily creating a second Channel 11 is sheer distortion of fact regarding the planned station. Such an unfounded claim unfairly paints a bad picture of the project even before any initial action is taken to get it off the ground.

As a matter of fact, many highly competent Thai media professionals with good working principles have been denied the opportunity to produce quality news, documentary and interview programming because those in control of the TV stations were under the influence of politicians, or ran the stations only for commercial gain. Members of the Thai media have the potential to produce quality programmes comparable with those from BBC or NHK, but they have not had the chance to prove themselves.

If the planned public TV station is indeed kept free from political influence and truly serves the Thai public's need for news and information, it would be a shining light and a beacon of hope for a society that has long seen no escape from the low quality programmes force-fed to it by commercial TV stations.

Even so, the outlook for the planned public broadcaster is not likely to be rosy since it is something new or even radical for the Thai public. Obstacles are predictable due to a lack of understanding among some sectors of society, especially those with links to interest and political groups - and even to media circles.

Give this situation, it is the duty of the viewing public who understand the merits of a true public service TV station to make their voice heard loud and clear.

Thailand's TV media have been under the influence of those in power and interest groups for too long and might have lost their direction. The birth of a true public TV station will help shine a light on the path to producing the quality of programming sorely needed by expectant viewers.

In fact, both public service broadcasting and independent commercial networks should do well in their own ways if the government maintains a hands-off policy