Taipei Times: There were so many arguments in favor and against the GIO's decision to renew the operating licenses of certain television stations. Will the GIO do something differently or carry out new policies when these licenses are due again in six years?
Pasuya Yao: The GIO will not be the government office in charge of renewing the licenses in six years, I hope. We are looking forward to the establishment of the National Communications Committee (NCC), and are hoping that lawmakers will help draft the laws to establish the organization as soon as possible.
In the meantime, we are also hoping that the NCC will win the public's trust and support. Only the public's trust and support will neutralize the organization and help NCC officials avoid potential criticism or complaints when they are carrying out their responsibilities in the future. I strongly doubt whether future NCC members could do a better job than what the GIO is doing right now, if the NCC does not win the public's trust and support.
PHOTO: LIU HSIN-TEH, TAIPEI TIMES
To win that trust and support, politics must be withdrawn from the organization. Some have suggested that NCC membership must be distributed to different parties according to an appropriate ratio. I think these kinds of suggestions will not be used. Just simply leave a free and independent space for real professionals to be able to do their work. That is what I am hoping.
Speaking of which, the GIO actually renewed TV channels by following the current laws. The regulations on license renewal are merely a constant reminder to local media workers that we shall maintain a moral attitude toward this business. This does not have to do with freedom of speech or politics.
TT: Some TV owners whose renewal applications were rejected have been complaining. How do you cope with that?
Yao: These people do not understand. In addition to their constant violations of the law, they were rejected because the content of their programs described on their applications do not match what was really broadcast on the air over the past six years. That was why we decided not to continue their licenses.
TT: You've said that you're hoping to be the last GIO minister. Can you explain?
Yao: Yes. My biggest frustration is that even when I work hard, it is still easy for me to be the target of condemnation, because in the past the GIO used to be a government office that brainwashed the public. Such an office should now just be a part of history. The GIO's job shall be carried out by a neutral organization such as the NCC.
TT: Are the minister's duties similar to what you expected before you took the oath? Have you experienced more frustration or encouragement?
Yao: Promoting the local film industry has always been my priority as a minister. I have been working on it and my hard work has been recognized, too.
I love challenges. Challenges have inspired passion and courage in me. It is okay with me if there are complaints, because I will still carry out my promises, no matter what. It has been only five months since I've taken the oath. I still have time to prove that I am a man of my word.
TT: The Public Television Service is planning to apply for another four new channels, including foreign language channels. Is this really necessary?
Yao: I tell you, maybe this is not enough. We have more and more foreign spouses, foreign workers and foreign visitors. We have been receiving complaints from them that there aren't enough TV programs in their own language. If this problem is not solved, it will create more social problems because these foreigners also have their needs for daily entertainment. In addition, we also need more channels to promote our own cultural stuff. We need our voice to be heard.
TT: Do you adjust your daily schedule due to your heavy workload as a minister?
Yao: Yes, of course. I used to watch a movie at home almost every day. However, ever since I took the office, I only get to do that maybe once or twice a week.
I love movies a lot, and that was why I applied to Fu Jen University's Department of Mass Communication. But after enrolling, I realized it wasn't what I thought it was.
In addition to movies, I love playing basketball, going swimming and mountain biking. But playing basketball is my only hobby now, and I can only do that about once a month.
SEND A MESSAGE: Sinking the amphibious assault ship, the lead warship of its class, is meant to show China the US Navy is capable of sinking their ships, an analyst said The US and allied navies plan to sink a 40,000-tonne ship at the latest Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise to simulate defeating a Chinese amphibious assault on Taiwan. This year’s RIMPAC — the 29th iteration of the world’s largest naval exercise — involves the US, 28 partners, more than 25,000 personnel, 40 warships, three submarines and more than 150 aircraft operating in and around Hawaii from yesterday to Aug. 1, the US Navy said in a press release. The major components of the event include multidomain warfare exercises in multiship surface engagements, anti-submarine warfare and multi-axis defense of a carrier strike
Taiwanese could risk being extradited to China when traveling in countries with close ties to Beijing, Taiwan Association of University Professors deputy chairman Chen Li-fu (陳俐甫) said on Friday. Chen’s comments came after China on Friday last week announced new judicial guidelines targeting Taiwanese independence advocates. Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos and Djibouti are among the countries where Taiwanese could risk being extradited to China, he said. The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) on Thursday elevated the travel alert for China, Hong Kong and Macau to “orange” after Beijing announced its guidelines to “severely punish Taiwanese independence diehards for splitting the country and inciting secession.” Extradition treaties
The airspace around Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport and Taipei International Airport (Songshan airport) is to be closed for an hour on July 25 and July 23 respectively, due to the Han Kuang military exercises, the Ministry of National Defense said yesterday. The annual exercise is to be held on Taiwan proper and its outlying islands from July 22 to 26. During last year’s exercise, the military conducted anti-aircraft landing drills at the Taoyuan airport for the first time, for which a one-hour no-fly ban was issued. Based on a live-fire bulletin sent out by the Maritime and Port Bureau, the nation’s
CROSS-BORDER CRIME: The suspects cannot be charged with cybercrime in Indonesia as their targets were in Malaysia, an Indonesian immigration director said Indonesian immigration authorities have detained 103 Taiwanese after a raid at a villa on Bali, officials said yesterday. They were accused of misusing their visas and residence permits, and are suspected of possible cybercrimes, Safar Muhammad Godam, director of immigration supervision and enforcement at the Indonesian Ministry of Law and Human Rights told reporters at a news conference. “The 103 foreign nationals stayed at the villa and conducted suspicious activities, which we suspect are activities related to cybercrime activities,” he said, presenting laptops and routers at the news conference. Godam said Indonesian authorities cannot charge them with conducting cybercrime. “During the inspection, we