Commissioners from the National Communications Commission (NCC) yesterday chose Bonnie Peng (彭芸), a journalism professor at National Chengchi University, as the new NCC chairwoman.
Commissioner Chen Cheng-tsan (陳正倉) was selected as the commission’s vice chairman. Chen is currently an economics professor at National Taiwan University.
The fact that Peng was elected was no surprise to many, as she was the only commissioner who clearly indicated that she “was willing to consider the possibility” of becoming chairperson during a review session at the Legislative Yuan last month.
PHOTO: CNA
Peng’s predecessor, Su Yeong-ching (蘇永欽), handed her the official seal during an inauguration ceremony yesterday morning.
While a ruling from the Council of Grand Justices in 2006 said that Su and the other eight commissioners could stay in their positions until December this year, the NCC members decided to step down early in January. However, their resignation was postponed as the Executive Yuan had trouble finding replacements.
Su said in a speech yesterday that the appointment of the new NCC commissioners came at a perfect time.
He said that he believed that the commission could run independently and would “try not to be too cozy” with the Executive Yuan.
Peng, on the other hand, said what she could bring to the commission was the aspiration to “dream big.”
“While we are seeking advancement in communication technology, we also need to pay attention to issues concerning cultural diversity and take care of the economically disadvantaged,” she said.
In addition to Peng and Chen, the other five commissioners — Hsieh Chin-nan (謝進男), Liu Chorng-jian (劉崇堅), Weng Hsiao-ling (翁曉玲), Lee Ta-sung (李大嵩) and Chung Chi-hui (鍾起惠) — met with reporters for the first time and talked about what and how they could contribute to the operations of the NCC.
Weng, an expert in technology law and the legal specialist on the team, said she aims to address similarities and differences among different communications laws and try to impose one consistent regulation on all telecom service operators.
Lee said he would address issues concerning more efficient use of the nation’s radio spectrum and new communications platforms.
Chung, on the other hand, said she would aim to reinforce the self-discipline of the media.
The inspection equipment and data transmission system for new robotic dogs that Taipei is planning to use for sidewalk patrols were developed by a Taiwanese company, the city’s New Construction Office said today, dismissing concerns that the China-made robots could pose a security risk. The city is bringing in smart robotic dogs to help with sidewalk inspections, Taipei Deputy Mayor Lee Ssu-chuan (李四川) said on Facebook. Equipped with a panoramic surveillance system, the robots would be able to automatically flag problems and easily navigate narrow sidewalks, making inspections faster and more accurate, Lee said. By collecting more accurate data, they would help Taipei
TAKING STOCK: The USMC is rebuilding a once-abandoned airfield in Palau to support large-scale ground operations as China’s missile range grows, Naval News reported The US Marine Corps (USMC) is considering new sites for stockpiling equipment in the West Pacific to harden military supply chains and enhance mobility across the Indo-Pacific region, US-based Naval News reported on Saturday. The proposed sites in Palau — one of Taiwan’s diplomatic allies — and Australia would enable a “rapid standup of stored equipment within a year” of the program’s approval, the report said, citing documents published by the USMC last month. In Palau, the service is rebuilding a formerly abandoned World War II-era airfield and establishing ancillary structures to support large-scale ground operations “as China’s missile range and magazine
A 72-year-old man in Kaohsiung was sentenced to 40 days in jail after he was found having sex with a 67-year-old woman under a slide in a public park on Sunday afternoon. At 3pm on Sunday, a mother surnamed Liang (梁) was with her child at a neighborhood park when they found the man, surnamed Tsai (蔡), and woman, surnamed Huang (黃), underneath the slide. Liang took her child away from the scene, took photographs of the two and called the police, who arrived and arrested the couple. During questioning, Tsai told police that he had met Huang that day and offered to
LOOKING NORTH: The base would enhance the military’s awareness of activities in the Bashi Channel, which China Coast Guard ships have been frequenting, an expert said The Philippine Navy on Thursday last week inaugurated a forward operating base in the country’s northern most province of Batanes, which at 185km from Taiwan would be strategically important in a military conflict in the Taiwan Strait. The Philippine Daily Inquirer quoted Northern Luzon Command Commander Lieutenant General Fernyl Buca as saying that the base in Mahatao would bolster the country’s northern defenses and response capabilities. The base is also a response to the “irregular presence this month of armed” of China Coast Guard vessels frequenting the Bashi Channel in the Luzon Strait just south of Taiwan, the paper reported, citing a
RSS