iieiiei1eWrkers - Leicester Research Archive - University of Leicester

The Production of Religious Programme: The Sunday Sennon
The Sunday sermon is produced by the Production Division of the Department
of Public Relations. One producer is assigned to the programme. However,
since the programme consists of a sermon given by monks of high ecclesiastical
rank his responsibility is confined to ensuring coordination between the Sangha
and the technical staff of Radio Thailand. Most of the recording takes place in
the studio, except on special occasions when a live sermon is broadcasted.
Some of the programmes are produced by the Public Relations Regional
Headquarters. For example, Radio Thailand's station at Surathani produces the
sermons given by Buddhadasa Bhikkhu who resides in the south.
The form of the Sunday sermon, Phrad/zainnza Tesana, is a reproduction of the
tradition of oral sermons given by monks on the Buddhist sabbath. The
sermon is strictly didactic. Although the producer attempts to liven up the
programme by selecting adroit preachers, his efforts are rather circumscribed.
Control of the style and content of the programme lies with the individual monk
whose authority on Buddhism is uncontested. Hence, as with production of
military commentary programmes, the producer is left with little space to
manoeuvre.
The producer's professionalism is further curtailed by shifts in political ideology
and organisational guidelines. The political change in 1978 and the religious
schisms within the Sangha for example, were immediately translated into a new
guiding policy for the Sunday sermon. The programme was to incorporate
non-conformists monks, whereas in the past space was only available for monks
from the established faction.2
The reduction of the role of the producer to that of a programme coordinator
has divided the power to control between the media organisation and the
Sangha. But the programme is far from homogeneous in representing the
ideology of the state. In its efforts to accommodate to change while upholding
its moral ethics the Sangha is confronted with internal and external tensions.
However, whenever conflicts occur the professionalism of the producer and Radio
Thailand's is called into question. Like the military, the dominant position of
the Sangha overrides the power of the NBA.
2 Interview with the producer, June, 1986.
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