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BKK Post, February 27, 1998. Commen
- Subject: BKK Post, February 27, 1998. Commen
- From: burma@xxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 27 Feb 1998 09:34:00
February 27, 1998. Commentary
By Wasant Techawongtham
Piping us info in all the wrong ways
The government-sponsored hearing to review details of the Thai-Burmese
gas pipeline project has ended. The panel has submitted its report to
the prime minister who is expected to make a decision on the matter in a
day or two.
Project opponents have pledged to pull out from the lush forest in
Kanchanaburi, where they have set up camp for more than a month to block
the pipeline laying, once Chuan Leekpai announces his decision.
It is a foregone conclusion that the Petroleum Authority of Thailand
will get a green light to proceed with the project to completion, thus
giving it a victory in its long-running battle with the
conservationists. Unfortunately, it will be a victory without grace.
In the past, the opponents accused the PTT of trying to influence public
opinion by using unsavoury tactics, including purchasing air time to
ridicule villagers complaining about the impact of the project or paying
off local media to report in its favour. Some of the allegations were
not without substance while others lacked proof.
Now, in one of its bungled public relations campaigns, the PTT has lent
credence to these other charges.
On the last day of the hearing last week, the state oil company launched
another media blitz in a vain attempt to flatter itself and condemn its
opponents. A series of half-page "special reports" have appeared in some
Thai-language newspapers, beginning with a report of an opinion poll
which showed the majority of those surveyed favouring the completion of
the pipeline project.
Readers can be excused for mistaking them as the papers' own reports
because they are presented in a common news format and bylined "Special
Correspondent" with no PTT logo. The word "advertisement", appearing in
fine print in only some of the papers, is the only indication they are a
paid message.
Actually, the poll results were widely reported, including in one
newspaper considered a staunch critic of the project, so there was no
need to push the point home and waste money in the process.
Other articles in the series verge on misinformation, if not outright
lies. A couple of them project the PTT as an advocate of transparency,
having agreed to various talks in which details of the project were
revealed, including the just-ended hearing chaired by former prime
minister Anand Panyarachun.
As it happens, this contradicts the conclusion of the Anand panel which
depicts the PTT as being less than open.
The strange thing about this latest media campaign, however, is that the
PTT's own public relations office plays no part in it. Songkiert
Tansamrit was sheepish when asked about it. As the public relations
chief, he admits the campaign "is not necessary" and is hurting the
company's image.
While it was not his own work, he nevertheless feels responsible and
says he will check into the matter to see what damage has been caused
and who might be affected. Corrections would be made where mistakes are
found.
He declined to identify the person or unit within the company who
launched the campaign, but said there would be "consultation among all
concerned offices" to ensure a similar gaffe did not occur.
Mr Songkiert has my sympathy. His job is difficult enough without help
from his colleagues who have been heard complaining that public
relations on the pipeline project has been inadequate. They obviously
felt they could do a better job.
But Mr Songkiert should not be made to suffer the humiliation alone.
PTT's top executives, including the governor, must share the blame for
putting the company in an even worse light than it already is.
Wasant Techawongtham is Deputy News Editor for Environment and Urban
Affairs, Bangkok Post.
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