GIO revises TV advertising restrictions in run-up to 2000 presidential election

In a move seen as a boost to media campaigning in the run-up to next year's presidential election, the Government Information Office (GIO) yesterday eased advertising restrictions on terrestrial TV channels.

The revised regulations will allow terrestrial TV stations to air commercials with individuals as the central theme.

Previously, only cable TV channels were allowed by law to air such commercials.

The revision will garner several billion dollars in additional advertising revenues for Taiwan's four terrestrial TV stations in the run-up to the March 2000 election.

The revisions also eased restrictions on visual and audio representation, allowing for more creativity.

The GIO emphasized yesterday that the revisions were the result of public hearings held in October.

However, analysts pointed out that KMT presidential candidate Lien Chan (3s戰) stands to benefit most from the revisions, given the "partisan characteristics" of three of the four terrestrial stations.

The four terrestrial TV stations expressed surprise following the GIO's announcement.

Officials at KMT-run CTV (??視), when asked if the station would only air Lien's campaign commercials, responded that they hadn't considered the question yet.

The military-run CTS (華視) convened a meeting yesterday to discuss whether and how to handle campaign commercials. The details of the meeting were not immediately available.

Meanwhile, TTV (台視) officials vowed neutrality in handling commercials, citing that the station had aired DPP advertisements before.

Officials at Formosa TV (民視) -- run by DPP legislator Trong Chai (1/22|P榮) -- also said it will not take on a cloak of partisan politics.

The revisions also feature changes in accordance with recently promulgated laws, including the new Health Food Act (健康-1品法).