The Nation reports:

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva has requested airtime on Channel 11 to hold a talk programme in his capacity as the opposition leader, he said Friday.

He said he has sent the request to the PM's Office urging it to allow him to go on air in his capacity the opposition leader.

Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej has his Samak's Talk programme, which is broadcast live on the channel every Sunday morning.

Abhisit said he informed the PM's Office that the opposition leader should also be allowed to have a programme to create balance of reports and promote democracy.

He said he has not received a reply yet.

BP: I should note that the leader of the opposition is an official position as per the Constitution and this distinguishes him from leaders of other political parties who are not in the coalition. There are a wide range of smaller parties (my initial thought when I heard this story last week was that, does this mean that every 2 bit political party should be given there own show and how to find objective criteria for determining which political party leaders should get airtime too?) But Abhisit's framing of the issue as he should be given time in his capacity as leader of the opposition should be given favourable consideration by Channel 11.

It would be a welcome signal from Jakrapob, the PM Office's Minister if he voiced his support for this proposal as it would help signal that the government is not going to suppress minority opinions. There is talk of modernising Channel 11 to improve the quality of its programs. A good first step would be to give the leader of the opposition airtime.

Samak has an hour and Channel 11 should be able to spare at least 30 minutes on Sunday morning for Abhisit.

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