International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) of Taiwan recently held and conducted the Workshop on Taiwan’s Media Development. Spanning fourteen days, professionals from broadcasting media, media-related nongovernmental organizations or public officers in charge of media development from partner countries were invited to Taiwan to discuss practices related to media development. On November 12, 2012, participants of the workshop visited the National Communications Commission (NCC) and were received by Commissioner Shin-Yi Peng. A presentation was given to workshop members, outlining the organization of the NCC and its significant administrative goals, an overview of the Taiwan media development, and regulatory principles of media content.
　A forum was also provided for an exchange of information and opinions. Workshop members proposed questions concerning the establishment of NCC, the digital switchover, number portability (NP), self-regulation of the media, network content regulation, and others. Commissioner Shin-Yi Peng described how the NCC was established in 2006 after the integration of the former Directorate General of Telecommunications with the Department of Broadcasting Affairs of GIO. She also explained how the NCC is an independent regulator with collegiate system and how the NCC chairperson, vice-chairperson and commissioners were specialized in diversified areas such as communications, law, broadcasting, and finance, etc. With respect to the switchover, members were told that in order to increase the service efficiency of frequency spectrum and to provide the public a greater choice, Taiwan accomplished the digital switchover of DTTV (Digital Terrestrial Television) on June 30, 2012. Members also learned how the switchover was promoted; NCC not only summoned several meetings with local governments for negotiations and coordination, but also implemented major measures such as improving the reception issues of broadcast signal in specific regions or villages of minority groups, assisting low income household in obtaining subsidies for installing the digital set-top box and setting up a free service line for the public. Similarly, with the successful promotion of the mobile number portability, network providers were requested by the competent authority based on laws and regulations.
　Regarding the self-regulation of media, workshop members learned how the NCC has encouraged broadcasting providers to establish an internal management mechanism such as the ombudsman system and pressroom autonomy convention. Moreover, in order to intensify public participation, establish an analysis system for public participation, and conduct consultation meetings of the broadcast advertising, the NCC invites numerous civic groups, media workers, and esteemed scholars and experts to participate in regular meetings as counseling members. Based on the public’s complaints and NCC’s reference, producers of program or advertising content that is deemed to be suspect of violating regulations will be offered advisory opinions after their discussions or will be suggested methods of solving the issue. Turning to network content regulation, Taiwan has installed WIN, the Watch Internet Network, to provide teenagers and children a healthy and secure online environment. If website content contains pornography, fraudulence, violence, or any improper language, the public can appeal directly to WIN. The institution will then transfer the case to the public sector (such as the Police, Department of Health etc.), media or the network provider to check and remove content that is deemed harmful to children and juveniles.
　In total, 29 visiting members from 28 countries attended the workshop. The event was successfully concluded in a cordial atmosphere and participating members all left with a deeper understanding of the development of communications in Taiwan, has and was beneficial for exchanging information.