While the nation's cable-news networks slug it out in a bloody ratings war driven by titillation and gore, there are no plans to fill English language news with car wrecks, suicide attempts and the endless stream of personal tragedy that, more often than not, passes for news in Taiwan.
CTS is contractually bound to avoid what the GIO's Su calls "bloody news," while FTV's English-language news department has simply set out to avoid sensationalism.
"Unlike CTS we haven't been told to avoid bloody news, but we reckon it's a good policy to adhere to," explained FTV deputy director, Chen Tsai (陳才). "After all, we cover the whole of Taiwan, so what relevance does a murder in Taipei have to someone who lives outside of the city? Obviously something like the recent Alishan train crash is news, but we'll leave individual tragedy to local cable news."
Viewing figures might prove that there is a market for English language television news at the moment, but general opinion is still pessimistic regarding the long-term sustainability of the programs.
"The ratings look pretty good at the moment, but I foresee a similar fate befalling whoever tries to make a daily English-language television newscast stand the test of time in Taiwan," said Lamont.
Ni believes the future of English-language television news is, however, in the hands of the politicians rather than the viewing public.
"The development of an English-language learning environment might be high on the agenda of the present Cabinet," admitted the CTS producer. "In a couple of years and with a possible change of government all this could change. Emphasis could shift, in which case good-night English language television news."
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