The Russia-Ukraine war coverage saga at Channel 5 has caused significant turbulence at the army-run media outlet.
Gen Rangsee Kitiyanasap, managing director of the television channel, is to be replaced by Lt Gen Wisanti Sasrida, director of the Army Training Command, in a lightning order.
The move will take effect on April 7 on the order of Army Commander in Chief Gen Narongphan Jitkaewthae, in his capacity as the station's board chairman.
The abrupt removal followed a controversial deal Gen Rangsee had arranged with the Russian embassy in Bangkok to present what he termed as "more balanced" coverage of the war.
In an interview with local media, Gen Rangsee conceded his meeting with the Russian envoy had been brokered by a key figure closed to Top News media, which supplies news to Channel 5 through a contract with Galaxy Multimedia Corporation (GMC).
In defending his deal, Gen Rangsee issued cautions about Western media reports of the Russia-Ukraine conflict which, he said, sometimes contain fake news.
The statement triggered an uproar as it might be interpreted as Thailand shifting from its neutral stance about the war. Thailand had joined the world community in condemning the use of force by the Kremlin on its smaller neighbour.
Some said Channel 5's position may have given the impression that Thailand had taken sides, which could lead to diplomatic embarrassment. The criticism prompted the channel to sign a similar cooperation agreement on media coverage with the Ukrainian embassy.
Also affected, albeit briefly, was Top News Digital Media Company which was upset after its coverage of the Ukraine war on March 28 was interrupted and cut mid-air.
The two sides, however, quickly buried the hatchet with the army and the station offering apologies to the media firm, citing "technical errors" for the black-out.
The latter, comprising ex-members of the now-defunct People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) who are known for their pro-government stance, agreed to resume the news programme.
The army has no choice but to sacrifice Gen Rangsee, who was appointed as Channel 5's managing director in Oct 1, 2020 when it was facing financial difficulties, with plummeting income.
Under his leadership, the channel went through a series of revamp schemes, as well as budget-tightening measures. At times it has faced controversies, if not legal hassles.
The latest issue begs the question: Why should the army own a television channel as well as other media outlets like radio stations?
In a previous House debate in February, the opposition raised concern about the army's role in running the media channel.
The army insisted it needs it as its communications arm, adding "it has a role (in promoting) national security and public safety, by presenting news that is useful to the public".
This is hardly convincing.
The channel's ownership is clearly problematic. This puts it in the position of it finding itself caught between being a media outlet and a government propaganda tool, meaning it may well be subject to certain levels of censorship -- compromising its journalistic principles and potentially jeopardising both its reputation and its credibility.
