Facing a barrage of public criticism, the National Communications Commission said Dec. 24 that it acted in accordance with the law in its decision to revoke the broadcasting license of ERA TV entertainment channel.
The NCC announced Dec. 22 that ERA would not be allowed to renew its broadcasting license after it expires at the end of the year.
The sudden announcement was immediately greeted with a chorus of criticism from media pundits and politicians, many of whom said the NCC should have given ERA more warning and that the NCC’s decision would have a chilling effect on other broadcasters and free speech in general.
In its defense the NCC said it was following Article 19 of the Satellite Broadcasting Act, which states that “programs shall maintain their content integrity and be distinguishable from advertisement.” This article has been violated repeatedly by ERA, the NCC said.
In addition, ERA has infringed upon other laws by classifying its programs falsely and by broadcasting misleading and deceptive commercials, according to NCC spokesman Chen Cheng-tsang.
“Since it first obtained its license in 2004, ERA has broken the Satellite Broadcasting Act 49 times, and as a result the channel has had to pay NT$16.75 million (US$558,333) in fines,” Chen said.
“It is not true that the revocation came without warning,” he added.
Chen stressed that the decision is not an encroachment on freedom of speech. “ERA’s programs have violated the law and the station operator should be aware of its obligation.” (HZW)
Write to Grace Kuo at morningk@mail.gio.gov.tw