Lee also said that after this particular experience, the commission would improve its approach to issues concerning media conglomerates.
“I can’t speak for the entire commission, but personally, I will be more cautious and seek to communicate with television service operators when I review a case,” Lee said.
Meanwhile, the commission responded to criticism from the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) in Taipei, which listed the NCC’s reluctance to hold a dialogue with the private sector as a source of frustration in an annual Taiwan White Paper on Tuesday.
Lee said the impression that the NCC avoided such a dialogue could have to do with the fact that its meetings with AmCham had been short and had not gone as planned.
Lee said that he had personally received AmCham representatives and apologized on behalf of the commission for any confusion.
“We have begun to amend the regulations in the Broadcasting and Television Act, Cable Television Act [有線廣播電視法] and Telecommunication Act [電信法] as part of the commission’s endeavor to assist media in developing the infrastructure needed in the age of digital convergence,” Lee said.
Meanwhile, Premier Liu Chao-shiuan (劉兆玄) yesterday commented on the NCC controversy.
Liu said in a statement to reporters that the Executive Yuan had no comment at the moment on the NCC’s rulings as it is an independent statutory agency.
He said all government agencies should follow the law. People concerned or dissatisfied with NCC decisions may appeal, he said.
Asked to comment on a proposal by KMT lawmakers to establish an exit mechanism for members of the NCC as well as the state public prosecutor-general, Liu expressed reservations.
The Executive Yuan has spoken to some KMT lawmakers and told them that the issue “should be dealt with in a very circumspect manner,” he said.
The right to designate or remove government agency heads and officials rests with the executive branch, while the legislature’s power is to hold a confirmation vote on appointees to certain official positions, Liu said.
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