Print

Mail

wiki links

Radio stations pan NCC amendment

An amendment to the Broadcasting and Television Act (廣播電視法) proposed by the National Communications Commission (NCC) has met with opposition from legal and illegal radio operators alike, with some operators threatening to organize protests against the agency.

The amendment would authorize the NCC to grant operating licenses via public auction and stipulate severe punishment for illegal radio operators.

GAUGING OPINION

At a meeting held by the commission yesterday to give radio operators a chance to voice their opinions on the draft changes, Yang Bi-tsuen (楊碧村), chairman of the Commercial Radio Broadcasting Association, said licenses should be granted to stations that pass a commission review — not to the highest bidder.

“We’ve heard that Chinese investors could start buying up media in Taiwan,” Yang said. “If licenses are auctioned, it will make it difficult for us to compete.”

NEW RULES

The NCC passed its draft amendment last month. The draft proposes granting operating licenses through a combination of public auction and review by the commission.

It would also extend operating licenses from six to nine years.

Under the amendment, illegal radio operators could face up to two years in prison and fines of between NT$1 million (US$30,900) and NT$5 million.

The NCC would also be empowered to confiscate equipment from illegal broadcasters.

As a transitional measure, the amendment would allow radio operators to renew their license one last time before being subject to the new regulations.

MONEY MATTERS

A number of illegal radio operators showed up at yesterday’s meeting to voice their opposition to the amendment and call on the government to give them a chance to become legal.

Some said that although the government was planning to release more operating licenses, illegal operators had no chance of being considered because they have neither the financial capacity nor the ability to produce operational plans.

Kao Fu-yao (高福堯), director of the NCC’s legal department, said the commission was in the process of gauging public opinion before it submits a final version of the amendment to the Executive Yuan for review and later to the Legislative Yuan for a vote.
This story has been viewed 725 times.