Government Information Office (GIO, 新聞局) head Su Tzen-ping (
"This has been the most challenging job I've ever had since I took office. Some legislators who work as the stations' nominal applicants show up and exert pressure [on us]," Su said at yesterday's session, in response to several legislators' inquiries.
Su added that there are currently 495 applicants for station licenses, but the government only plans to issue licenses to 47 stations after their proposals have been reviewed and approved.
Su refused to reveal how many legislators are involved.
DPP legislator Chen Chin-jun (陳景峻) also said that political manipulation has been found to take place within the management of the radio stations to be established.
He said that some station owners who applied for licenses did not actually plan to run the stations, but reserve their licenses for sale.
"The price is never lower than NT$40 million and can run up to NT$100 million," Chen said yesterday, adding that, so far, no laws have been passed to regulate such moves.
Echoing Chen's views, Lee said that in central Taiwan, an Aboriginal legislator has beensuccessful in obtaining a radio station license that other aboriginal groups' had originally jointly applied for in order to produce aboriginal programs.
Lee therefore urged Su and the government to review license issuing procedures closely so that radio stations would not become tools for politicians to exert power and turn a profit.
In response, Su said that although there are no laws that forbid legislators from establishing radio stations, the government should carefully trace whether stations that have obtained licenses are properly operated so that stations fulfill their social responsibilities.
The government has issued 145 licenses to radio stations nationwide since 1993, Su added.
Last Friday, Su was lambasted by DPP legislator Liang Mu-yung (梁牧養) for his poor performance as a government spokesman at the legislature's question-and-answer session.
Afterwards, many speculated that Liang's criticism was meant to retaliate against Su, who did not issue a license to his radio station in Kaohsiung.
Liang last week denied the allegations saying that he has sold all of his shares in the station and has no longer has any connection with the station.
Su was asked about Liang's attack once again yesterday morning.
"I wouldn't say I felt honored [to be criticized by Liang], however, I felt not a bit ashamed," Su said.
He refused to further comment publicly on Liang's motives.
Su, however, reportedly told KMT legislator Lin Hong-tsung (林宏宗) afterwards that "I can only speculate privately [about Liang's motives]."
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