In order to comply with the revised Broadcasting and Television Law (廣播電視法) that stipulated Dec. 26 as the deadline for the government, the military and political parties to give up ownership of television and radio stations, the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) on Monday night announced that it had sold its controlling stakes in the Broadcasting Corp of China, China Television Co and the Central Motion Pictures Corp.
The KMT's swift disposal of its holdings deserves applause, as it honored its commitment to the deadline and showed support for the government's bid to rid media operations of "political influence." But the question of whether any Chinese or other foreign capital was involved in the purchase of the three media outlets by the China Times Group and their holding company remains unanswered -- and therefore deserves public scrutiny.
According to the Broadcasting and Television Law, terrestrial television companies must be 100-percent Taiwan-owned and operated.
With the China Times Group recently shutting down the China Times Express because of financial difficulties, some have questioned how the group had the resources to raise the NT$9 billion (US$272.73 million) needed for completion of the purchase.
With rumors circulating that the Hong Kong-based Li Ka Shing Group may have financed the purchase, the China Times Group should come forward and provide answers to questions about its dealings with the KMT.
It was interesting to see KMT Chairman Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) came out in defense of the purchase on Tuesday and rebut charges that any Chinese capital was involved in the transaction.
Ma is not listed as an executive of the China Times Group. So how can he be so sure of its background and vouch for the credentials of the buyer, rather than letting the buyer speak for itself?
During his dismissal of the speculation, Ma said that the information was provided by "KMT Deputy Secretary-General Chang Che-chen (張哲琛) who had checked [the information]" and "the China Times Group."
How skillfully Ma phrases his words. In other words, he means that the buyer confirmed there was "no Chinese capital" involved and Chang agreed, so if anything in his statement proves to be false, Ma need not bear any responsibility. He can say that he "was merely relaying their statements."
The buyer is a venture capital company invested in by a Cayman Islands-registered holding company, which is in turn invested in and run by the China Times Group. It it hasn't done anything illegal, why is it so difficult for it to come forward, make a public statement and produce documentary evidence to show that its capital and financial structures do not contain Chinese money?
In the meantime, the Democratic Progressive Party government should closely investigate the matter.
Although who buys the KMT's media outlets is the party's internal affair, the government should be cautious and remain attentive to any matters that may have indirect bearing on the national security. It should prevent any Chinese or Hong Kong capital from finding its way into the domestic media.
For the sake of national security, no opportunities or loopholes should be left open for Trojan horses of any kind, including those disguised as "local" media.
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