The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) legislative caucus yesterday decided to postpone the third reading of amendments to the Computer-Processed Personal Data Protection Act (電腦處理個人資料保護法) after receiving fierce criticism from media organizations.
KMT caucus whip Lin Yi-shih (林益世) told a press conference yesterday afternoon that the party agreed to put off the third reading of the proposed amendment until the next plenary session. The session is scheduled to take place next Friday and on May 4.
The party’s move was a departure from its previous stance, as the caucus previously stood by the proposal, saying it would help strike a balance between individual privacy and freedom of the press.
“We would like to curb the paparazzi and whistle-blower culture,” KMT Legislator Lu Hsueh-chang (呂學樟) told a press conference earlier yesterday.
Lin said yesterday afternoon that the caucus changed its mind after discussing the proposal with the Executive Yuan. Those present at the meeting agreed to suggest measures to resolve the controversy.
The proposal, which passed its second reading on Tuesday, would require that media, political commentators or elected representatives seek the consent of individuals before publicizing infromation about them, including their name, date of birth, ID number, occupation, medical records, genetic information and details of their sex life.
Violators would face fines of up to NT$500,000 and a jail term of up to two years.
The proposal was originally meant to be put to its third reading today.
Members of the media and the National Communications Commission (NCC) expressed concern that the proposed regulations would violate freedom of the press.
Jason Ho (何吉森), director of the NCC’s Communication Content Department, previously said the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) originally proposed exempting the media from the regulations.
“While the parties negotiated the bill, some legislators wanted to use this article to regulate comments by political pundits,” Ho said. “However, the article was changed in a way that it applies to the media in general.”
May Chen (陳依玫), chairwoman of the disciplinary committee at the Satellite Television Broadcasting Association, on Wednesday described the proposed amendment as a “setback to democracy.”
Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers also supported the decision to delay the bill.
DPP Legislator Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘), head of the party’s Policy Committee, said it was acceptable to temporarily halt the bill to sort out public concerns.
“We are still waiting for the Ministry of Justice to respond on whether some of the concerns raised have merit ... [therefore] we accept the KMT’s call to halt the proceedings,” Ker said.
DPP Legislator Lee Chun-yee (李俊毅) said the party caucus believed that the bill could violate press freedom and called on Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) to conduct further cross-party negotiations.
The two parties are expected to meet again to discuss potential revisions to the bill this morning.
Premier Wu Den-yih (吳敦義) said yesterday that he hoped efforts made to protect the privacy of individuals would not compromise freedom of speech.
Wu said it would be difficult for the legislature to reconsider the amendment, which had gone through its second reading, but he hoped lawmakers would take into account public concerns.
Speaking after the postponement, the NCC’s Ho said the commission was very concerned about the viability of executing the draft of the personal data protection act, adding that the commission would soon meet with MOJ officials and the Government Information Office to discuss ways to safeguard press freedom.
“Protecting personal privacy is important, but even that has a limit,” Ho said. “The conduct of public figures should be open to examination by the public.”
ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY VINCENT Y. CHAO AND SHIH HSIU-CHUAN
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