Experts blast media appointments

Experts yesterday criticized the new government for failing on its promise to wipe out political influence in the news media after suspicions were raised over recent personnel changes at two state-owned TV stations.

Academics yesterday made the comments at two separate seminars held on the issue at National Taiwan Normal University and National Taiwan University (NTU).

"The new political stance of the nation was the prime consideration in the personnel reshuffle. Professionalism was put on the back-burner," said Ku Ling-ling (谷玲玲), a professor of journalism at NTU.

Ku said by appointing so-called "professionals" to run its radio and TV stations, the government was merely diverting the focus of the issue. "The new government's way of thinking is not very different [from that of the KMT government]," Ku said.

Academics have long called for an end to political influence over news media.

Of the four existing terrestrial television stations, three are directly controlled either by the government or a political party. The Executive Yuan owns a major portion of Taiwan Television Enterprise (TTV, 台視). The Ministry of National Defense and Ministry of Education are the largest shareholders of Chinese Television System (CTS, 華視), while the KMT owns the largest share of China Television Company (CTV, 中視).

During KMT rule, top executives at these TV stations were rarely media professionals, but were typically tipped for the jobs based on their relationship with the ruling party.

News coverage on these stations was also criticized as being heavily biased in favor of the government and the KMT.

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) made reforming the ownership structures of the state-owned TV stations a major platform in his election campaign.

A number of media professionals have been recruited in a recent personnel reshuffle at CTS, and more are expected to be included in changes at TTV. Academics, however, have argued that the new appointees are all known for their close relationship with the DPP.

Chao Shau-kong (趙少康), chairman of UFO Radio and a former legislator, said the new government should make good on Chen's promise to eradicate political influence at state-run media organizations. Chao suggested converting the TV stations into public corporations.

He added that the state-owned TV stations had witnessed a severe brain drain, because staff feared they could never be promoted under the new management.

Feng Chien-san (馮建三), a professor of journalism at National Chengchi University, said public pressure will be crucial in determining whether Chen's administration carries out his campaign promise on the issue.

The Government Information Office (GIO) expects to complete a review of plans to de-politicize the TV stations by the end of next month. GIO officials yesterday also insisted the new government had not interfered in personnel arrangements at CTS and TTV.

GIO officials said the personnel appointments have been and will continue to be decided upon strictly by relevant shareholders.