The Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) yesterday dismissed allegations that one of its legislators was buying SET-TV network through an investment consulting firm and called on politicians not to meddle in media outlets.
"We hope that political parties and politicians respect the media and give them freedom to report the news," KMT spokesman Su Jun-pin (
Su made the remarks in response to a report in yesterday's edition of the Chinese-language United Evening News, which claimed that KMT Legislator Alex Tsai (
Tsai admitted yesterday that he was trying to purchase a stake on behalf of a US investment consulting firm. However, he dismissed allegations the move was intended to help the KMT by changing the station's pro-green stance.
Tsai said he had provided the foreign investment company with advice about pricing for the deal and issued a letter of intent for purchase of the shares on behalf of the company.
"I did say in the assessment report to the company that the ratings of the station would increase if its coverage were less pro-green. But it was only my advice from a management viewpoint," he said.
Tsai also said he would not play any role in the management of the station.
Meanwhile, Su said the KMT had withdrawn from management of media outlets, and it was not behind the deal.
However, Cabinet Spokesman Shieh Jhy-wey (
"It is reasonable to believe that the transaction between Tsai and SET TV is not real because of Tsai's shady record," Shieh said, referring to the alleged irregularities involving Tsai in the sale of the Central Motion Picture Corp (CMPC), which was previously owned by the KMT.
CMPC vice president Chuang Wan-chun (
In related news, Shieh said the government had instructed the Fair Trade Commission to investigate the dispute arising from the sale of the former KMT-owned Broadcasting Corp of China.
Additional reporting by Shih Hsiu-chuan
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