Chen affirms vow over media ethics

President and DPP Chairman Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday reiterated the party's policy to free the media from political influence and called on party members to help push the passage of the draft amendments to the Broadcasting and Television Law (廣電法) during the current legislative session.

"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 (羅文嘉), Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) and Lin Cho-shui (林濁水) on the government's policy to free the media from political influence.

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 (蔡同榮) has been reluctant to give up his job as chairman of Formosa Television, DPP Deputy Secretary-General Lee Ying-yuan (李應元), said that he believes Chai will eventually fall in line with the party's policy.

"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)