The board of Taiwan Television Enterprise (TTV) yesterday announced another delay in the reshuffle of their board, deciding to hold a shareholder meeting on August 18 to complete a change in personnel.
The additional delay, a source close to the new government said, meant that the controversial appointment of Lai Kuo-chou (
"Lai's chances of beating Cheng Feng-shih (
"Although the government holds 48 percent of TTV's shares, it still cannot beat out other private shareholders that have long maintained a good relationship with the KMT [and could throw their support behind Cheng]."
If Lai didn't run, Cheng is widely seen as the likeliest candidate to win the position.
"This is why Chen Shui-bian's (
Lai, director-general of the KMT's Department of Youth Affairs, became active in politics during Lee's terms as president and KMT chairman. He has a PhD in journalism from National Chengchi University, where he also taught. He was also previously in charge of the National Press Council.
Lai's supporters say that his professional credentials are appropriate for the job, while his opponents have been critical, saying that Lai has benefited from his relationship with Lee's family and that his academic accomplishments are few.
Commenting on recent personnel rumors, the current chairman, Cheng, yesterday said that the next-term chairman must be supported by TTV's shareholders.
The TTV Union yesterday restated its opinion that the personnel reshuffle should be accomplished as soon as possible.
"We don't care who the chairman will be but hope that the person is professional," said spokesman of the Union Ho Wen-chuan (
TTV's shareholder meeting was originally scheduled to be held on May 8 -- just two weeks before President Chen took office.
The meeting, however, was delayed after members of the then incoming government protested the last-minute reshuffle just prior to the inauguration. The meeting was still held, but very few members of the board dared to show up and be seen going against the incoming government's wishes.
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