Several Hakka activists called for a clear definition of Hakka TV’s legal status ahead of its 10th anniversary tomorrow because, despite its close ties to the Taiwan Broadcasting System (TBS), it is not part of the group nor is it an independent station.
“Ten years after its founding in 2003, Hakka TV is not in the condition that we would expect it to be and just less than 30 percent of the programs it airs are new,” Taiwan Hakka Alliance secretary-general Liu Hui-chen (劉慧真) told a news conference in Taipei. “The station needs to have a larger budget and a more clearly defined legal status if it is to generate breakthroughs.”
Former Hakka TV chief executive director and long-term Hakka activist Chern Ban (陳板) said that many people seem to think the station is a member of the TBS group, but “Hakka TV was never part of the group, rather, Hakka TV gets its funding from Hakka Affairs Council, and the council outsources production to the TBS.”
“Since Hakka TV gets the budget from A and works with B, we are not very optimistic about its future, unless some fundamental changes are made,” Chern added.
Yiong Cong-ziin (楊長鎮), director of the Thinking Taiwan Foundation’s Social Force Development Center and one of the founding members of Hakka TV, said he is worried about the station’s future.
“It’s been almost 10 years since the station was established, it’s time to change it status as an outsourced project,” Yiong said.
“As both the Cabinet and the legislature have proposed amendments to the Public Television Act (公共電視法), we think now is the time for the public, the government and the legislature to do what’s best for Hakka TV — whether that entails becoming part of TBS or an independent station.”
Aftershocks from a magnitude 6.2 earthquake that struck off Yilan County at 3:45pm yesterday could reach a magnitude of 5 to 5.5, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Seismological Center technical officer Chiu Chun-ta (邱俊達) told a news conference that the epicenter of the temblor was more than 100km from Taiwan. Although predicted to measure between magnitude 5 and 5.5, the aftershocks would reach an intensity of 1 on Taiwan’s 7-tier scale, which gauges the actual effect of an earthquake, he said. The earthquake lasted longer in Taipei because the city is in a basin, he said. The quake’s epicenter was about 128.9km east-southeast
GENSLER SURVEY: ‘Economic infrastructure is not enough. A city needs to inspire pride, offer moments of joy and foster a sense of belonging,’ the company said Taipei was named the city with the “highest staying power” in the world by US-based design and architecture firm Gensler. The Taiwanese capital earned the top spot among 65 cities across six continents with 64 percent of Taipei respondents in a survey of 33,000 people saying they wanted to stay in the city. Rounding out the top five were Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City (61 percent), Singapore (59 percent), Sydney (58 percent) and Berlin (51 percent). Sixth to 10th place went to Monterrey, Mexico; Munich, Germany; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Vancouver; and Seoul. Cities in the US were ranked separately, with Minneapolis first at
The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association has cautioned Japanese travelers to be vigilant against pickpockets at several popular tourist spots in Taiwan, including Taipei’s night markets, the Yongkang Street area, Zhongshan MRT Station, and Jiufen (九份) in New Taipei City. The advisory, titled “Recent Development of Concerns,” was posted on the association’s Web site under its safety and emergency report section. It urges travelers to keep backpacks fully zipped and carried in front, with valuables placed at the bottom of the bag. Visitors are advised to be especially mindful of their belongings when taking photos or speaking on the phone, avoid storing wallets and
The New Taipei City Government today warned about the often-overlooked dangers of playing in water, and recommended safe swimming destinations to cool off from the summer heat. The following locations in the city as safe and fun for those looking to enjoy the water: Chienshuiwan (淺水灣), Baishawan (白沙灣), Jhongjiao Bay (中角灣), Fulong Beach Resort (福隆海水浴場) and Sansia District’s (三峽) Dabao River (大豹溪), New Taipei City Tourism and Travel Department Director-General Yang Tsung-min (楊宗珉) said. Outdoor bodies of water have variables outside of human control, such as changing currents, differing elevations and environmental hazards, all of which can lead to accidents, Yang said. Sudden
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