Anti-democratic demands
Regarding the article "Group blasts lack of media reform" (Oct. 11, page 3) [Also see "DPP must make good on media promises," Oct. 10, p.8 for a list of demands from said group].
I am astonished that any group boldly calling itself "The Campaign for TV Democracy" is urging the government to acquire full ownership of terrestrial-based television broadcasting in Taiwan. As it is, the government already owns 47 percent of TTV and 75 percent of CTS -- this is far too much. Ideally, no group -- either the government, a private company, political party, or individual -- should be allowed to own more than 5 percent of a TV station. If you expect news coverage to be unbiased, control of the TV station should be dispersed among shareholders who have no political agenda. The only "reform" the government needs to do is to sell off its shares of TTV and CTS on the stock market, and perhaps pass a law saying that no individual or entity can own more than 5 percent of such shares.
Government-owned TV is a sign of dictatorship.While urging 100 percent government ownership of TV broadcasting, "The Campaign for TV Democracy" then says, "the government should allow the stations to operate as advertiser-supported channels without government editorial interference." The idea that politicians will resist the temptation to interfere in government-owned TV stations defies human nature.
As it is, the government does have 100 percent ownership of one terrestrial-based station, Public Television Service (PTS). And how well is this station being run? It is a huge money loser. It lives off government subsidies. Furthermore, unless you have cable TV (and I don't), you will probably never get to see it. PTS broadcasts at low power on the UHF spectrum -- even with a special antenna. The majority of residents where I live cannot receive it.
If "The Campaign for TV Democracy" wants to prove that government-owned TV is the way to go, then let them demonstrate this by first reforming PTS. They would have a much stronger case if PTS earned a profit and broadcast at a signal strength sufficient for people to actually receive it. If the government is doing such a dismal job managing PTS, how can we expect them to manage three TV stations?
Robert Storey
Taitung
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