TV cancellation causes uproar in Thailand
Muslim protesters pray during a protest against an incendiary anti-Islam film ‘Innocence of Muslims’ outside a shopping mall where the Google Thailand headquarters are located in Bangkok on September 27, 2012.
Imagine that you're dying to found out what happens in the sixth season of Mad Men, when AMC suddenly drops the program because it makes capitalism look bad. Nooo! Luckily, that scenario isn't real. But something similar to that is indeed happening in Thailand. Thailand's political elite is accused of impeding free speech after a popular Thai t.v. show was canceled–just before its second season finale, Radio Australia reported. The t.v. channel says it pulled the show, "Nuah Mek," out of fear that it broke broadcasting laws banning material that might "destabilize" the country.
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The government claims it had nothing to do with it, but outraged viewers suspect political interference. The plot of "Nua Mek" revolves around corrupt politicians, including a crooked prime minister being controlled by a dark sorcerer and a ghost, Asian Correspondent reported. Channel 3 published a short statement saying that the drama was deemed “inappropriate” and another drama series would be aired instead.
The National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission commissioner Supinya Klangnarong openly questioned whether the country's politicians were behind Channel 3's decision to drop the program, the Wall Street Journal reported. The program seemed to be a biting commentary on Thailand's ousted premier Thaksin Shinawatra. His sister is now Prime Minister, further encouraging viewer suspicions.