Appointing former president Lee Teng-hui's (
The appointment would also show that the once state-run television station remains influenced by politics despite the recent transfer of political power.
Ever since June when Lai was rumored to be appointed by the government as TTV's chairman, he has been harshly criticized because of his family ties to Lee.
PHOTO: FILE, TAIPEI TIMES
Although TTV is technically a privately-run company, the government still holds 48 percent of its shares and is highly influential in the selection of the board's leadership.
"Lai's academic accomplishments are `zilch,' said Chiu Hei-yuan (
"He's hasn't published any research since he received his degree."
Lai earned his PhD in journalism from National Chengchi University (NCCU) in 1988 and is now the director-general of the department of youth affairs for the KMT. His supporters emphasized that Lai's accomplishments in the field of communications include taking charge of the National Press Council (NPC) and its television program "News Bridge," which was was given a primetime spot on terrestrial television stations.
Many believe that Lai was being considered in order to help President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) strengthen his relationship with former president Lee.
After the new government took office, the possibility of Lai claiming a post at both TTV and at China Television Company (CTV) became the focus of public speculation.
So far, Lai has denied that he was being considered for a general management position at CTV. Observers believe that by not mentioning TTV, Lai has tacitly confirmed he will take up the terrestrial station's chairmanship.
While the possibility has sparked protests from TTV and CTV unions, a handful of supporters came out in support of Lai on Saturday under the banner "Seeking justice for Lai."
They claim Lai's experience in producing and hosting TTV programs is a plus.
Lai's relationship with Lee's family was being perceived as a "sin" that hindered people from recognizing his communications abilities, they argued.
The programs Lai hosted in the past lacked professional depth, critics have said.
"`News Bridge,' produced by the NPC, never dared to talk about any of the crucial flaws of Taiwan's media, like how it has been manipulated by the KMT," said Kuo Li-Hsin (
Chiu agreed, but said he never watched the show.
Lai's said "supervision" of media with the NPC was cause for criticism, Kuo said.
While his father-in-law was in power, Lai avoided addressing the issue of political interference in the press, Kuo said.
Lai's privilege in being Lee's son-in-law allowed the program to occupy a primetime spot on three terrestrial TV stations simultaneously, Kuo pointed out.
Kuo said that because the NPC was controlled by senior KMT communication scholars, its "justice" was a "joke." Chiu also indicated that Lai's overwhelming power in the NPC, despite the fact that he only held the position of executive secretary showed how privileged he was to be Lee's son-in-law.
"If President Chen uses Lai as a political gambit, his reputation would be severely damaged," Chiu said.
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