Events Highlights
Hong Kong Students Visit NCC, “Freedom of speech in Taiwan is not restricted”, Chairperson Peng中文
Forty students from Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) Communication Society visited the NCC library and communications lab on January 7, and were given the opportunity to share their observations of the broadcasting media in Taiwan with NCC Chairperson Dr. Bonnie Peng. The primary reason for their visit to Taiwan was to deepen their understanding of Taiwan media industries in general and the NCC by learning about its operation and management of the media in Taiwan.
NCC Chairperson Dr. Peng (center) with students from HKBU Communication Society.
During the talks students highlighted some of the concerns and issues caused by the recent rejection of the two TV license applications of Next Media, an enterprise of Hong Kong media tycoon Jimmy Lai. In giving reasons for the rejection, Chairperson Peng stated that the content submitted by Next Media for review was particularly undignified. She also mentioned that the detailed descriptions of suicides may cause the public too much concern.
Students also asked how to plan the management of rampant underground radio stations. In reply, Chairperson Peng mentioned that there are 172 legal and more than 100 illegal radio stations on the air as well; many of those illegal stations sell counterfeit medicines that could harm people’s health seriously. Just recently, NCC, in cooperation with the Dept. of Health (DOH), established a platform to crack down on illegal medicinal advertisements on underground radio stations.
Students from HKBU visit the communications lab.
Finally, the students were curious to know whether NCC would restrict the broadcast media’s criticism toward President MA. In reply, Chairperson Peng said that freedom of speech in Taiwan was fully respected. Any issue related to public interest can be a target of criticism, even the President. To clarify further, Chairperson Peng said NCC would not get involved unless – in extreme circumstances - there was a “clear and immediate danger”. The Deputy Director of Broadcasting Contents Dept, Hsu-cheng Chien added that according to the Satellite Broadcasting Act, if the content harms an interested party’s benefits or privacy, the party has the right to request correction.
Located in NCC’s Jinan Rd office, the NCC library was established in February, 2009. The library has been stocked full with communication & broadcasting journals, publications and research papers. Its opening to the public attracted the attention of the HKBU students to the history of communications & broadcasting development in Taiwan. Finally, the students gained more understanding on how cable TV operated and the spectrum arrangement in Taiwan by visiting the communications lab.
