Presidential election 2008: 4 days to go: GIO unveils new media center ahead of elections

Government Information Office Minister Shieh Jhy-wey speaks at a press conference in Taipei yesterday, dismissing allegations that the office had ``spied'' on Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) presidential candidate Ma Ying-jeou's campaign rally on Sunday. PHOTO: CNA

Some 500 to 600 foreign journalists from 35 countries and regions are expected in Taiwan to report on Saturday's presidential election, the Government Information Office (GIO) said yesterday as it unveiled its new international media center.

GIO Minister Shieh Jhy-wey (謝志偉) said that the purpose of the NT$570,000 (US$18,500) media center was to provide foreign reporters a convenient place to file stories on Taiwan's emerging democracy and adherence to freedom, equality and human rights.

"Taiwan's democratization has been highly touted by the US and European countries. China's total blockade of news flow on the recent Tibetan uprising only accentuates Taiwan's value of transparency in press freedom," he said.

The GIO said that to date, 180 foreign media outlets and 25 think tanks from 35 countries will be in Taiwan to cover the election. The estimated number of foreign journalists is between 500 and 600.

It is expected that big name networks, including CNN, the BBC, Germany's ARD, Japan's NHK, Iran's Press TV, Saudi Arabia's al-Arabiyah, and Eurovison, which provides news to more than 300 news sources in Europe, will report on the election.

Local correspondents from China's Xinhua news agency and other Chinese media outlets will also be covering the event.

In addition to providing a physical area for foreign reporters, the GIO will arrange for representatives from the pan-green and pan-blue camp's headquarters to speak and answer questions regarding the election.

In related news, Shieh yesterday dismissed allegations that the office had "spied" on Ma's campaign rally on Sunday.

Shieh said the person they sent to videotape the event was there to record a historic moment and that videotaping of campaign activities of both candidates had commenced on March 1.

Hsieh's rally on Sunday was also videotaped, Shieh said.

Shieh made the remarks after a GIO staffer sent to record the KMT's rally on Sunday engaged in verbal clashes with reporters.

The person was asked to find his own transportation to get around after organizers found out the person had not obtained permission to take the vehicle transporting the press corps.

Additional reporting by Ko Shu-ling