The Independent Evening Post used to be the epitome of independent media. But the paper began to tilt toward the KMT after a change of ownership in 1995, before swinging back to the DPP camp after Taipei City Councilor Wang Shih-chien (王世堅), a DPP member, took over the presidency of the paper last October. Now, the paper is poised to become pro-KMT once again, following the latest change of leadership. The swift changes at the Post are a reflection of the scramble among politicians for control of the media.
As a political party, the KMT probably has the best understanding in the world of the adage "knowledge is power." It is also one of the few parties in the world to own newspapers and radio and TV stations. During the decades of KMT rule, media institutions were all controlled by either the government or the party. Even though the KMT gradually allowed wider participation in politics as part of the process of democratization, it retained a tight grip on the media. Despite its often draconian efforts at thought control, however, it was unable to stem the tide of free speech. Eventually the KMT lost its monopoly on the media along with political power.
Even though the KMT controlled much of the media before last year's presidential election, it nevertheless blamed the media for Lien Chan's
After the election, the KMT got rid of its minor newspapers, which had small circulations and were losing money. But it also used the Hsiang Shan Group
While in opposition, the DPP frequently took a beating from the KMT's powerful media -- and criticized the KMT for its control over the media. However, after coming to power, the first thing the DPP government did was change the leadership at TTV and CTS. In other words, it turned out to be just as eager to control the media as its predecessor. There is concern that Public Television Service
Having emerged from KMT control, Taiwan's media is now prey to another monopoly. Political powers remain the driving force behind media operations.
Despite Taiwan's claim to be a democracy, its media remains in the authoritarian era. All the parties claim to respect democracy and media freedom, but they all stretch their tentacles into media institutions and manipulate them. This is a tragedy for the media and a shame to the democracy Taiwan claims to practice.
Giving free rein to the media may invite capitalist manipulation and commercialism. But Taiwan's media is suffering from a double malady of political interference and commercialism. If democracy is to grow further, the media must be the fulcrum for reforms.
To reform the media we must start by doing away with political interference. The government should restructure the Government Information Office and transfer the work of media supervision to an independent committee, where professionals can formulate media policies and oversee media operations. Political parties should also pull out of media institutions and allow journalists to be professional. Let the people choose what they like from the media market and discard poor-quality products. Don't let politicians decide what journalists should do or how the public should think. Taiwan's media must no longer be a slave to politics.
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