Abstract:
This study on “Political Economy of Mass Communication: Case Study of FM Radio Frequency Allocation After the Promulgation of the Constitution, B.E. 2540 (1997)” aims to examine structural changes transpiring in the mass communication system, in particular, in regard to procedures in establishing a frequency-allocation agency or the National Broadcasting and Television Board (NBTB) and reactions of original frequency owners. Particular emphasis of the study is placed on the allocation of frequencies and retention of “ownership” in frequencies, forms of concessions or rental of radio broadcasting stations, remuneration for rental or concessions of radio stations, patterns of relationship on the part of private individuals taking concessions or rental of radio stations from State agencies in the transitional period of these structural changes, competition among individual entrepreneurs, impacts on the quality of programme production, emergence of community radio broadcasting as well as alternative media, and directions for media reform. All this is explored in the light of consistency or inconsistency with the spirit of the Constitution which seeks to ensure that “frequencies are national communication resources for public interest” As far as the scope of the study is concerned, its content is limited to the investigation of structural changes in mass communication systems and the allocation of frequencies subsequent to the promulgation of the Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand, B.E. 2540 (1997). Target groups embraced by this study are FM radio broadcasting stations affiliated to the Ministry of Defense (Office of the Supreme Commander and the Royal Thai Army) and the Mass Communication Organization of Thailand and those in Bangkok and Greatader Bangkok areas existing since the promulgation of the Constitution up to present (2006). This study takes the form of qualitative research in respect of which data, collected dfrom documents as well as in-depth interviews, are analyzed in the dimension of political economy.
