Conglomerates challenged over cable TV

When King Pu-tsung (金溥聰), an associate professor of journalism,was handpicked by Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬-^?E) to head the information department in a minor reshuffle last August, local media portrayed the choice as Ma's selection of a close friend and old-time subordinate. Little was said about his capabilities for the job.

King's handling of last week's cable TV dispute overturned his image as a mild and ineffective character and established him as a force.

Even opposition city councilors gave him the thumbs up, saying that his courage in challenging the conglomerates and the Government Information Office (GIO) to safeguard consumers' rights showed that he was the right person for his post.

"His starting point was to safeguard cable TV subscribers' rights and to maintain the municipal government's authority," said DPP city councilor Lang Mei-chin (藍美津). "He supported the side of reason and the council backed him up."

The background

The dispute started when nine cable providers substituted three unlicensed channels for three licensed channels that they had previously been broadcasting. The substitution began on Jan.1, and on Jan. 3, hundreds of viewers had contacted the information department to file complaints about the change.

The same evening, King met with representatives from the nine firms. He demanded that they return to broadcasting the usual licensed channels by 12:01am the next day. Otherwise severe penalties would be imposed.

Four cable companies -- all under the banner of Eastern Multimedia Co Ltd (東森媒體科?THORN>股份?膝q) -- ignored King's request and did not resume broadcasting of their original channels until the GIO intervened in the dispute late Jan. 5.

However, between Jan. 4 to Jan. 5, King imposed a total fine of NT$12 million on the four firms, the maximum penalty under the Cable Broadcasting and Television Law.

When dealing with the dispute, King blasted representatives of the conglomerate who arrogantly claimed that they had prepared enough cash to pay the fine.

King said the city government was ready to "fight the issue to it conclusion."

Corporate arrogance

Even after the dispute, King said in a radio interview that certain conglomerates involved in cable TV industry "considered everyone beneath their notice (目??無?H)."

He also confirmed that a representative from the conglomerates had said to him, when negotiating cable TV rates with the city government, that "it's us [referring to cable TV providers] who will determine who becomes the next president."

King turned to the GIO, asking it to clarify its position on the dispute. Some people wondered whether the fact that GIO director Chiao Yi (趙怡) was the deputy chairman of the Eastern Multimedia company before taking the post as the government spokesman was purely coincidental.

"The longer the GIO delays dealing with the chaos in the local cable TV industry, the angrier people will become," he said on Jan. 4.

Responding to King's call, the GIO, as well as other cabinet members were quick to intervene in the dispute, saying the central government supported the city government's punishment of the four firms.

An unexpected force

King's outspoken actions surprised not only his critics but also his supporters, and won him support from Ma and City Council.

"His daring combined with his judgment was a bit beyond my expectations," said Tina Chou (周慧婷), King's wife and a veteran news anchor.