‘SWORD OF STATE’: Legislators criticized the NCC for never using a 2016 law to punish broadcasters that air false information on the basis of protecting freedom of speech
By Shelley Shan / Staff reporter
Taipei Times
Date: Oct 05, 2018
By: Shelley Shan / Staff reporter
The Legislative Yuan’s Transportation Committee yesterday criticized the National
A man reads a newspaper outside a school in Changhua County in an undated photograph. Photo: Chang Tsung-chiu, Taipei Times
Communications Commission (NCC) for not enforcing regulations to curb the spread of fake news.
The issue became prominent following the suicide of Su Chii-cherng (蘇啟誠), director-general of the Osaka branch of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, after the branch was criticized for its perceived lack of assistance for Taiwanese who were affected by Typhoon Jebi.
Article 27 of the Satellite Broadcasting Act (衛星廣播電視法) states that news and commentary on broadcast media should verify facts, ensure fairness and not damage the public interest, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Cheng Pao-ching (鄭寶清) said.
Broadcasters that contravene the regulation would face a fine of NT$200,000 to NT$2 million (US$6,495 to US$64,952), Cheng said, adding that broadcasts of its advertisements and programs could also be suspended. [FULL STORY]
