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Aborigines want to fight stereotypes on own TV station

Members of the Association for Taiwan Indigenous Peoples Policy and Taiwan Media Watch hold a joint press conference yesterday to promote a TV station for Taiwan's Aboriginal peoples. PHOTO: CHU PEI-HSIUNG, TAIPEI TIMES

Aborigines want their own television station to revise the twisted image of Aborigines portrayed on Taiwanese television, Aboriginal representatives said yesterday.

"I hope the Cabinet's Council of Indigenous Peoples and the Legislative Yuan can set up a task force that would include civil groups to examine the possibility of setting up a television channel and training Aboriginal broadcasting personnel," said Voyu (湯志偉), chairman of the Association for Taiwan Indigenous Peoples Policy (台灣原住民族政策協會).

Taiwan Media Watch recently conducted a review of television programs about Aboriginals that were broadcast in 2002.

"Many television programs have misinterpreted Aboriginal practices and twisted the image of Aboriginals. For instance, the program hosts often refer to Aboriginals as `they,' as if we are some foreign creatures from another world," said Mayaw Biho, the head of Amis Tribe Film Festival Committee (阿美族影展策展小組).

Mayaw pointed out certain common biases and misunderstanding regarding Aboriginals which are often seen on television.

"One major mistake is that Aboriginal holy rituals have often been portrayed as sports events. Another common scene is when Aboriginals are given a chance to talk before a camera, they are usually only asked to echo what the program host has already said and are not able to voice other opinions. We Aboriginals are not tape recorders, we know more than repeating," Mayaw said.

Wei Ti (魏玓), assistant professor of mass communications at Tamkang University and a member of Taiwan Media Watch, described the characteristics of Aboriginal television channels in other countries, which could be used as a framework for an Aboriginal television channel in Taiwan.

"APTN in Canada and TVNZ in New Zealand, which are public television channels dedicated to their respective native populations, receive stable financial resources from government. Furthermore, Aboriginals make up the majority of employees at these channels.

"These channels can be viewed across the nation and aim to promote native languages and cultures, as well as to improve the understanding and interaction among different ethnic groups," Wei said.

Last year, the Council of Indigenous Peoples last year set aside NT$3 billion for the establishment of an Aboriginal television channel.

However, the budget proposal did not clear the Legislative Yuan.

"The budget for a Hakka television channel, which is the same at NT$3 billion, cleared the Legislature Yuan smoothly and the channel has been in operation since last July. So why is the budget proposal for an Aboriginal television station still in difficulties at the Legislature Yuan?" asked Ado Calaw (林佩蓉), a member of ATIPP.

Legislators expressed concerns that a large number of Aborigines would not be able to receive the channel because they live in the mountains where reception is poor, but Ado considers the rejection of the proposal as a more complex issue.

"I feel that legislators might not believe in the ability of Aboriginals in managing a television network on our own and do not trust us with NT$3 billion. Besides, there may be a matter of politics involved as well," Ado said.
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