By Bancha Khaengkhan, Kornchanok Raksaseri

New programming by NBT will see news reduced from 12 to seven hours, with some programmes axed and news producers losing their jobs starting April 1, the Thai PM's Office Minister Satit Wongnongtaey said yesterday.

Satit, who oversees the NBT channel, said under the planned programme restructuring, the state channel would undergo up to 70 per cent change in programming that may cause some people to lose jobs. The channel will be the main producer of news and programmes but will bring in private companies to help produce some programmes including news.

The new programming focuses on presenting quality and neutral news and refraining from giving any coverage that creates political conflict. The station will produce more programmes that find out root causes of social problems and solutions to them.

Asked if the government would be criticised if it allowed media companies that helped topple the Thaksin government produce programmes for the NBT channel, Satit said a selection committee would be appointed to choose producers according to programme content.

Satit did not rule out the possibility radio or TV anchormen who took to the People's Alliance for Democracy stage, or media personalities such as Dr Chirmsak Pinthong, would produce programmes for the station. However he reiterated there would not be programmes with mudslinging content or that bring out social conflict.

"We may have former ministers or a former deputy prime minister to host some programmes,'' he said

New programming will be classified into three programme types: to find measures and solutions to economic and labour issues, stressing social conflict and on social development.

Of total air time, 35 per cent will be news, 28 per cent social content, 12 on state policies, 12 on sports and recreation, seven per cent on education and religion, four per cent on royal family, one per cent on sciences and technology, and one per cent on topics such as health.

Satit said the station would have its logo changed because the existing one could cause wider rifts between the two conflicting political groups and greater division in the country.

State television and radio will be separated from the Office of Public Relations. The government will also have FM 105 produce children's programmes for 24 hours without advertisements.

Evaluation of the new programming will be conducted after three months by a committee comprising all outsiders.

According to current programme structure, news programming comprises 44 per cent of air time. Social and education programmes account for 28 per cent. Programmes on current issues are eight per cent, economic programmes six per cent, while sports are five per cent.

Three per cent are science programmes, while political programmes comprise two per cent of the total. Entertainment programmes are two per cent, while children's and family programmes and programmes on royal family each comprise one per cent.