Local television audiences might soon be given the power to influence the quality and content of programs, with the National Communications Commission (NCC) mulling legislation that would encourage professionalism and internal self-regulation within the industry.
The proposal follows criticism at this year’s Golden Bell Awards from judges who said that local television programs are of low quality, lack creativity and knowledge, and are not entertaining.
NCC official Lin Hui-ling (林慧玲) said the proposed legislation would increase corporate responsibility and promote the rights of the audience.
Should the move be approved by the Legislative Yuan, television corporations would be required to establish “self-regulation units” to stimulate creativity and freedom of speech in their programs, Lin said, adding that news channels should also have units in the same capacity formed from academics and civic groups.
The commission said it is also considering direct input from the audience by establishing a facility itself, commissioning others or allowing others to set one up for them to conduct Internet polls, telephone interviews or live interviews on the content of television shows, Lin said.
“This is to ensure that the public has a shared forum on which to air their opinions rather than waiting for the government to make the decision on all things,” Lin said.
There have been similar moves in other nations, but none of these movements have been written into law, Lin said, adding that it would be a pioneering move should the draft act be approved.
Taiwan Media Watch president Lai Ting-ming (賴鼎銘) said that the public assessment system was a positive development and worthy of support, provided that the “self-regulation units” were able to function as intended.
There are many self-regulation units in all media companies, but most of these are established in form only and hold no power, Lai said, adding that the government would need to make it clear what sort of conduct is expected.
The inclusion of the public assessment system is in line with the concept of modern democracy, but the commission should be careful to whom it assigns the jobs of collection assessment and opinions, National Chung Cheng University associate professor Hu Yuan-hui (胡元輝) said, adding that it would be a test of the commission’s credibility.
Variety talk show hostess Little S (小S), also known as Dee Hsu (徐熙娣), said she always gives great weight to what the public says about her shows, adding that the proposed system should have been implemented years ago.
However, TV variety show host Jacky Wu (吳宗憲) said that there might be great bias among audience members, adding that he preferred professionals to make the judgement calls, but such professionals should have a standing title.
TV stations, on the other hand, said they wanted to know more about the system before offering their cooperation, with Formosa Television saying that it would give a more detailed response once the commission makes the details known.
Additional reporting by Chung Chih-kai, Tseng Tse-jung
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