Two radio stations in the south had their operating license renewal bids refused yesterday after they were found to have broadcast indecent programs two months ago.
The National Communications Commission (NCC) reviewed the applications of four stations: Kaopingshi (高屏溪), Chianan (嘉南), Smile Taiwan (屏東之聲) and Voice of Chaojhou (潮州之聲). Their licenses expired on July 1.
NCC spokesperson Chen Jeng-chang (陳正倉) said the commissioners approved Kaopingshi and Chinan’s applications, but rejected those of Smile Taiwan and Voice of Chaojhou.
“The commissioners considered that programs aired by Smile Taiwan and Voice of Chaojhou have disrupted public order and adversely affected society, contradicting the founding principles of the stations,” Chen said. “Their quality control mechanisms have apparently fallen apart.”
The two stations were asked to submit improvement plans within two weeks, Chen said, adding that they were also given two months to improve program quality.
The NCC granted them temporary licenses which expire in three months, Chen said, adding that this was the first time since the commission’s founding that it had granted temporary licenses to radio operators.
Last month, the NCC handed a case on radio program Happy Singing Voice to the Pingtung Prosecutors’ Office after it ruled the program was suspected of broadcasting indecent sexual content and potentially violating Article 235 of the Criminal Code.
The program was produced by Smile Taiwan and aired by Voice of Chaojhou and a Smile Taiwan affiliated station in Hsinchu.
The host of the program and management officials at all three stations are being investigated by prosecutors.
Chen said the license of the Smile Taiwan affiliated station in Hsinchu does not expire until next year, but the major infringement would be taken into account when the commission reviews its license renewal application next year.
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