The Central Weather Administration (CWA) announced amendments to the Meteorological Act (氣象法) aimed at curbing sensationalism in media reporting to ensure the accuracy of public information.
The amendments would require the media to use terminology issued by the agency in headlines and news content, while the use of descriptive terms would be prohibited.
If an outlet publishes exaggerated reports and fails to issue a correction or improvement within a specified time frame, it would face fines ranging from NT$100,000 to NT$500,000, with penalties imposed repeatedly for continued contraventions.
Photo provided by the Central Weather Administration
Some media outlets cite weather forecasts posted by anonymous online fan pages or social media accounts with unclear sources, the CWA said.
Government agencies, schools, organizations and people must obtain a permit before issuing forecasts, the agency said, citing Regulations on the Authorization of Forecast Service of Meteorological and Marine Meteorological Phenomena (從事氣象海象預報業務許可辦法), it added.
The revisions would also stipulate that when media outlets cite forecasts, warnings or reports issued by the CWA, they should report them accurately and clearly indicate the source, release time and the full name of the issuing agency or individual.
CWA Administrator Lu Kuo-chen (呂國臣) said that while the agency monitors seismic activity, it does not forecast earthquakes.
Making unfounded earthquake predictions might contravene the Social Order Maintenance Act (社會秩序維護法), he said.
The draft amendment is open for public review until Monday next week.
It is to be sent to the Executive Yuan for approval and then, if no major objections are raised, to the Legislative Yuan for review.
In other news, the CWA yesterday said the nation would see chilly and wet weather this week as two cold air masses move in, with one arriving today and another on Thursday.
The CWA forecast the cold air mass arriving today would begin lowering temperatures and bring showers to northern and eastern Taiwan, the Hengchun Peninsula (恆春半島), and mountainous regions today and tomorrow.
Central Taiwan might also experience sporadic showers tomorrow.
Lows are expected to fall to 14°C to 15°C in northern Taiwan, 15°C to 16°C in the central region, and 17°C to 18°C in the south, the CWA said.
Independent meteorologist Daniel Wu (吳德榮) yesterday said temperatures below 10°C could be recorded in low-lying areas from tonight to early tomorrow morning, as well as early on Wednesday.
The eastern half of the nation might see localized showers on Wednesday as daytime temperatures rebound slightly, he said.
A second cold air mass arriving on Thursday would again push temperatures down in northern Taiwan, while other parts of the nation would also experience chilly nighttime weather, the CWA forecast.
On Thursday and Friday, the mercury could hover between 14°C to 20°C in northern Taiwan, 13°C to 24°C in central Taiwan and 17°C to 28°C in southern Taiwan, according to CWA data.
Keelung North Coast, eastern Taiwan, the Hengchun Peninsula and mountainous areas in Greater Taipei might see sporadic showers, while other parts of the nation would have cloudy to sunny weather, the CWA said.
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