Analysis of news coverage on the malay-muslim minority in Thai television channel 12 Yala
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Date
2002-06
Authors
Shakiroh Yaena, Marwan
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Abstract
This study examines news broadcasts over Thai Television Channel 12 Yala, which was
set up to disseminate information in the local Malay dialect to the peopleĀ· of the southern
border provinces, as well as, to create a positive image of the ruling group and hence, the
Thai state's attempt to win consent from the Muslim communities.
In 1980, the Thai government under Prem's administration had u!ilized a more
accommodative policy over the Malay-Muslim minority through social and economic
development, cultural collaboration and the mass media to improve inter-ethnic
perceptions between the ruling state and the Malay-Muslims.
This study analyzes coverage of news broadcasts in the government-operated Thai
Television Channel 12 Yala from 17 to 30 September 2001. Specifically, the objectives
are (1) to analyze what kinds of issues, whose views are represented and which groups
get consistent access to the news broadcasts of Thai Television Channel 12 Yala; (2) to
examine the meanings embedded in television news discourse; and finally, based on (I)
and (2) to show that Thai Television Channel 12 Yala is being used to represent a
positive image of the Thai nation-state to gain the support of the Malay-Muslims in the
provinces of Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat. News broadcasts from 17 to 30 September
2001 were recorded and transcribed. Content analysis is used to find out the general
trends of news coverage, followed by a discourse analysis to interpret meanings
embedded in language.
The findings revealed that in most of news stories, the ruling leaders from the central
government are rarely featured. In its place, representations at the provincial level were
the main actors. Whilst most of the central government officers are Thais, those at the
provincial and local-level comprise both Thais and Muslims. Most of news times are
devoted to local politics and government involvement in providing development support
and services.
On the whole, the state is seen as benevolent and concerned about the socio-economic
status of Malay-Muslims whilst the Malay-Muslims are seen as peaceful, neutral and
thankful to the state for providing social and developmental services.
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Keywords
Malay-muslim minority , Thai television channel 12 Yala