President and DPP Chairman Chen Shui-bian (
"What we do now may be a small step, but it's a giant step in the modern history of the nation," DPP Deputy Secretary-General Lee Chin-yung (李進勇) quoted Chen as saying after the party's weekly closed-door Central Standing Committee meeting.
Chen made the remark after listening to the briefings by legislators Luo Wen-jia (
To reach the ultimate goal of freeing the media from political influence, Chen said party members should help push the passage of the draft amendments this session.
"Each party member should realize that it's the party's mission to safeguard a transparent, open, fair and clean media environment," Chen said. "The passage of the law will help accomplish the mission."
The proposed amendment -- which passed its first reading in December, stipulates that elected government officials, civil servants and political party members would be banned from assuming any position or owning stakes in the media.
Chen also called on DPP members who own stakes or hold positions with media organizations to withdraw in a bid to set an example for other political parties.
"It's not only the expectation of the public but also the responsibility and duty of each and every DPP member to have the media free from political influence," Chen said.
The DPP was a tireless champion for freedom of speech during the KMT's rule. Its efforts eventually paid off in 1993 when the KMT government legalized cable television stations and allowed the private sector to own radio stations.
The government further legalized the establishment of cable television stations in 1997.
According to a study conducted by the Government Information Office and made available yesterday, a total of 65 elected officials and appointees were found to be either holding stakes or positions with electronic media organizations. These officials included lawmakers, county commissioners, city mayors, county and city councilors and township administrators.
The study screened 123 satellite television stations, 64 cable television stations, five terrestrial television stations and 174 radio stations.
Although DPP Legislator Trong Chai (
"He's told me that he fully supports the idea and will fully cooperate if it's the resolution of the Central Standing Committee," Lee said.
Satellite television
Seven lawmakers:
Trong Chai (蔡同榮), DPP, chairman, Formosa Television (民視)
Chang Chun-hung (張俊宏), DPP, chairman, Global TV (環球)
Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘), DPP, honorary director, Sanlih TC Corporation (三立)
Lin Chung-cheng (林忠正), DPP, Shareholder, Eastern Multimedia (東森)
Lee Sen-zong (李顯榮), KMT, Board of directors, Kuowei Mass Communication (國衛)
Kao Yu-jen (高育仁), KMT, Board of directors, Kuowei Mass Communication (國衛)
Tsai Hau (蔡豪), Independent, shareholder, New Taipei Mass Communication (新台北)
Cable television stations
Seven lawmakers:
Lu Po-chi (盧博基), DPP, shareholders, Huilan Television (洄瀾)
Yeh Yi-jin (葉宜津), DPP, shareholders, Hsin Yung-an (新永安), Nantien Television (南天)
Hsu Jung-hsu (許榮淑), DPP, shareholders, Chunchien Television (群健)
Lee Ming-hsien (李明憲), DPP, shareholders, Chunchien Television (群健)
Lee Chun-yee (李俊毅), DPP, shareholders, Nantien Television (南天)
Tsai Chi-fang (蔡啟芳), DPP shareholders, Shihhsin Television (世新), Kuosheng Television (國聲)
Tsai Hau (蔡豪), Independent, shareholder and board of directors, Eastern Multimedia (東森)
Twenty-one government officials also have interests in cable television stations.
Terrestrial television stations
One lawmaker, one senior advisor to the president and two government appointees:
Sisy Chen (陳文茜), independent, board of directors, Taiwan Television Enterprise (台視)
Yu Chen Yueh-ying (余陳月瑛), DPP, board of directors, Formosa Television (民視)
Fan Sun-lu (范綠), vice minister of education, board of directors, Chinese Television System (華視)
Chou Tsan-der (周燦德), director of the social education department of the Ministry of Education, honorary director, Chinese Television System (華視)
Six military personnel also have interests in terrestrial television stations.
Radio stations
11 lawmakers:
Shen Chih-hwei (沈智慧), PFP, chairwoman, National Radio Station (全國)
Alex Tsai (蔡正元), KMT, board of directors, Broadcasting Corporation of China (中廣)
Chou Ching-yu (周清玉), DPP, chairman and shareholder, Kuanhuai Radio Station (關懷)
Lee Wen-chung (李文忠), DPP, board of directors, Tamsui River Radio Station (淡水河)
Lai Chin-lin (賴勁麟), DPP, board of directors, Tamsui River Radio Station (淡水河)
Tsao Chi-hung (曹啟鴻),DPP, shareholder, Tawushan Radio Station (大武山)
Chang Chuan-tien (張川田), DPP, shareholder and board of directors, Pacific Voice (太平洋之聲)
Kao Meng-ting (高孟定), board of directors, Hsinyunlin Radio Station (新雲林之聲)
Hou Shui-sheng (侯水盛), board of directors and director, Tsengwenhsi Radio Station (曾文溪)
Chiu Chuang-chin (邱創進), DPP, shareholder, Central FM (中部調頻)
Wei Ming-ku (魏明谷), DPP, shareholder, Central FM (中部調頻)
Nine government officials also have interests in radio stations.
Graphic: TT
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