The Executive Yuan yesterday nominated National Communications Commission (NCC) Acting Chairman Chen Yaw-shyang (陳耀祥) as its new chairman and former NCC vice chairman Wong Po-tsung (翁柏宗) to return to his previous post.
The Cabinet also nominated three new commissioners: NCC Chief Secretary Hsiao Chi-hung (蕭祈宏), National Taiwan University Graduate Institute of Journalism professor Lin Lihyun (林麗雲) and National Taiwan Normal University Graduate Institute of Mass Communications professor Wang Wei-ching (王維菁).
The Cabinet said that it considered various factors in choosing nominees, such as gender equality, political party affiliation, experience, bringing in outside voices and ensuring that commissioners serve staggered terms.
Except Hsiao, whose term would last from Aug. 1 to July 31, 2022, the remaining four commissioners would serve from Aug. 1 to July 31, 2024, if confirmed it said.
All nominees are qualified based on the National Communications Commission Organization Act (國家通訊傳播委員會組織法), as they have extensive experience in law, telecommunications or mass communications, the Cabinet said.
“We hope that the Legislative Yuan will quickly review their qualifications and confirm their appointments, so that the commission can continue to operate,” it added.
A source familiar with the matter said that the Legislative Yuan’s Transportation Committee could start reviewing the appointments in the second half of this month, as the nomination process requires a 10-day public notice period.
Chen has been the agency’s acting chairman since May last year after former NCC chairwoman Nicole Chan (詹婷宜) and Wong, who briefly served as acting chairman after Chan, resigned.
Chan stepped down after she was criticized by the Cabinet for failing to curb the spread of misinformation before the nine-in-one election in November 2018, where the ruling Democratic Progressive Party suffered major setbacks.
Lin, who was an outspoken critic during the nation’s 2012 to 2013 media anti-monopolization movement, specializes in issues related to the concentration of media ownership.
Wong and Hsiao have handled telecommunications matters since working in the Directorate General of Telecommunications, which in 2006 became part of the NCC.
This is the first time that the Executive Yuan has nominated two NCC commissioners who have served as telecommunication officials.
Industry observers said the move signaled the direction the government was taking, particularly after a 5G spectrum auction earlier this year.
Wong and Hsiao understand telecoms and are on amicable terms with them, they said, adding that communication between the commission and telecoms are expected to be efficient and productive.
SPACE VETERAN: Kjell N. Lindgren, who helps lead NASA’s human spaceflight missions, has been on two expeditions on the ISS and has spent 311 days in space Taiwan-born US astronaut Kjell N. Lindgren is to visit Taiwan to promote technological partnerships through one of the programs organized by the US for its 250th national anniversary. Lindgren would be in Taiwan from Tuesday to Saturday next week as part of the US Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ US Speaker Program, organized to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) said in a statement yesterday. Lindgren plans to engage with key leaders across the nation “to advance cutting-edge technological partnerships and inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers,”
UNREASONABLE SURVEILLANCE: A camera targeted on an road by a neighbor captured a man’s habitual unsignaled turn into home, netting him dozens of tickets The Taichung High Administrative Court has canceled all 45 tickets given to a man for failing to use a turn signal while driving, as it considered long-term surveillance of his privacy more problematic than the traffic violations. The man, surnamed Tseng (曾), lives in Changhua County and was reported 45 times within a month for failing to signal while driving when he turned into the alley where his residence is. The reports were filed by his neighbor, who set up security cameras that constantly monitored not only the alley but also the door and yard of Tseng’s house. The surveillance occurred from July
A Japan Self-Defense Forces vessel entered the Taiwan Strait yesterday, Japanese media reported. After passing through the Taiwan Strait, the Ikazuchi was to proceed to the South China Sea to take part in a joint military exercise with the US and the Philippines, the reports said. Japan Self-Defense Force vessels were first reported to have passed through the strait in September, 2024, with two further transits taking place in February and June last year, the Asahi Shimbun reported. Yesterday’s transit also marked the first time since Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi took office that a Japanese warship has been sent through the Taiwan
‘SAME OLD TRICK’: Even if Beijing resumes individual travel to Taiwan, it would only benefit Chinese tourism companies, the Economic Democracy Union convener said China’s 10 new “incentives” are “sugar-coated poison,” an official said yesterday, adding that Taiwanese businesses see them clearly for what they are, but that Beijing would inevitably find some local collaborators to try to drums up support. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, made the remark ahead of a news conference the General Chamber of Commerce is to hold today. The event, titled “Industry Perspectives on China’s Recent Pro-Taiwan Policies,” is expected to include representatives from industry associations — such as those in travel, hotels, food and agriculture — to request the government cooperate with China’s new measures, people familiar with
RSS