No TV networks will be shut down, the president said in response to the latest developments in the TVBS controversy, while a legislator agreed to change his name to a profanity because of a promise he made with regard to the cable station.
President Chen Shui-bian (
However, Chen said that the government has to follow the principle of proportionality, which is embedded in almost every legal system when taking disciplinary action against companies that commit unlawful actions.
PHOTO: WANG MIN-WEI, TAIPEI TIMES
"However, we have to be careful when considering closing a television network. During my presidency, I will never let it happen," Chen said.
He said the government would never close any TV station or newspaper, because Taiwan is a democratic country ruled by law.
The freedom of the press is especially important for Taiwan -- a country just transformed from an authoritarian system into a democratic one, he said.
"I urge all media agencies to disseminate information, in the form of either news or commentary, based on factual events," Chen said.
Echoing the president's pledge that no TV station will be shut down during his tenure, Premier Frank Hsieh (
"We don't have any pre-set policy for the matter, as claimed by some," Hsieh said.
"We'll tackle the matter in accordance with solid evidence, and will continue to enforce media-related laws until the national communications commission [NCC] is established," he said.
Although the job of the Executive Yuan is to enforce the law, Hsieh said that the government will not lightly impose any sanctions on TVBS, as long as the station offers a clear explanation of its shareholder structure and answers the charges of tax evasion as well.
Hsieh made the remark in response to a question asked by Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Lai Shyh-bao (
Hsieh said that while he has not yet seen the full text of the president's remarks, he believes that Chen is committed to the nation's democratic development, and does not wish to see any media outlet shut down during his term.
The majority of shareholders at TVBS are Hong Kong investors, and Hsieh said it remains debatable whether Hong Kong investors are equal to Chinese investors.
Hsieh said that TVBS has clearly violated the Satellite Broadcasting Law (衛星廣播電視法) by changing the structure of its board of directors without notifying the Government Information Office (GIO), and has subsequently been fined NT$200,000 (US$5,960).
The GIO also requested that the station offer an explanation for the change of its board of directors by Friday.
On a lighter note, responding to Chen's comment, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Tsai Chi-fang (
Biao means "bitch" or "whore" in Mandarin, while ge is a term of endearment meaning "brother."
However, the "biao" (婊) on the poster of Tsai's press conference was changed to another "biao" (裱). Tsai explained that the original character carries an improper connotation.
The "biao" (裱) refers to "mount" as in mounting a painting.
Tsai had previously sworn that the public could call him "Biao Chi-fang" if the government failed to shut down TVBS, whose shareholder structure he claimed was illegal. After carefully studying related laws and regulations governing media outlets' shareholder structure, Tsai yesterday said he had made a mistake in his understanding of the matter, but that he nonetheless decided to keep his word and let people refer to him as biao ge.
DPP Legislator Lee Wen-chung (李文忠) yesterday threw his backing behind the president, but said that the GIO should leave the matter to the NCC.
Also, the Northern Taiwan Society yesterday criticized the president for using "political power to constrain judicial rulings."
"We are devoted to steadfastly safeguarding freedom of the press, but the premise is the media's self-discipline," said Chet Yang (楊文嘉), secretary-general of the organization. "Before the truth of the matter is known, we don't think it is appropriate for the president to use a political promise to influence a future legal verdict."
The pan-blue legislative caucuses yesterday also lambasted the administration, with the People First Party (PFP) caucus still threatening to mobilize a million people to take to the street if the government "dared" to annul the operating license of TVBS, as well as appeal to the US government.
SECURITY: As China is ‘reshaping’ Hong Kong’s population, Taiwan must raise the eligibility threshold for applications from Hong Kongers, Chiu Chui-cheng said When Hong Kong and Macau citizens apply for residency in Taiwan, it would be under a new category that includes a “national security observation period,” Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) said yesterday. President William Lai (賴清德) on March 13 announced 17 strategies to counter China’s aggression toward Taiwan, including incorporating national security considerations into the review process for residency applications from Hong Kong and Macau citizens. The situation in Hong Kong is constantly changing, Chiu said to media yesterday on the sidelines of the Taipei Technology Run hosted by the Taipei Neihu Technology Park Development Association. With
CARROT AND STICK: While unrelenting in its military threats, China attracted nearly 40,000 Taiwanese to over 400 business events last year Nearly 40,000 Taiwanese last year joined industry events in China, such as conferences and trade fairs, supported by the Chinese government, a study showed yesterday, as Beijing ramps up a charm offensive toward Taipei alongside military pressure. China has long taken a carrot-and-stick approach to Taiwan, threatening it with the prospect of military action while reaching out to those it believes are amenable to Beijing’s point of view. Taiwanese security officials are wary of what they see as Beijing’s influence campaigns to sway public opinion after Taipei and Beijing gradually resumed travel links halted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but the scale of
A US Marine Corps regiment equipped with Naval Strike Missiles (NSM) is set to participate in the upcoming Balikatan 25 exercise in the Luzon Strait, marking the system’s first-ever deployment in the Philippines. US and Philippine officials have separately confirmed that the Navy Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) — the mobile launch platform for the Naval Strike Missile — would take part in the joint exercise. The missiles are being deployed to “a strategic first island chain chokepoint” in the waters between Taiwan proper and the Philippines, US-based Naval News reported. “The Luzon Strait and Bashi Channel represent a critical access
Pope Francis is be laid to rest on Saturday after lying in state for three days in St Peter’s Basilica, where the faithful are expected to flock to pay their respects to history’s first Latin American pontiff. The cardinals met yesterday in the Vatican’s synod hall to chart the next steps before a conclave begins to choose Francis’ successor, as condolences poured in from around the world. According to current norms, the conclave must begin between May 5 and 10. The cardinals set the funeral for Saturday at 10am in St Peter’s Square, to be celebrated by the dean of the College