CCTV Set 4 Off the Air in Island Province

Home>>Life

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Thursday, April 11, 2002

CCTV Set 4 Off the Air in Island Province

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

For alleged "violation" of related regulations CCTV Set 4 was said to have lately been put off the air by "Government Information Office" much to the discontent of local TV viewers and news media in Taiwan.

"CCTV Set 4" was previously noted to have been on the air for many years in Taiwan. Since Taiwan Cable TV acquired legal status CCTV Set 4 had been entrusted to TVBS as its relay agent, put at the service of local relay stations free of charge. But for CCTV's "Special" status since new authorities were installed in Taiwan applications had to be made on a yearly basis from March 1 to February next year as a particular case for going on the air every year. Such a procedure had never been heard of and no troubles had ever been found in that respect. In contrast to the past back to the Kuomintang days, a new excuse has been found by the local authorities that no timely application had been made for CCTV Set 4 to go on the air hence its suspension of broadcast.

Back in mid 2001, Hong Kong Phoenix TV had met unidentified objections to its application to go on the air in Taiwan. The protestations were that it was inappropriate for the local authorities to "enlist" mainland's official CCTV Set 4 to go on the air. As no one has expected, stopping CCTV Set 4 from the air has put news media in great puzzle as an issue of concern to news media and a multitude of TV viewers in Taiwan. Ye Guoxing's attitude is also found noncommittal as chief heading "Government Information Office" in Taiwan.

It is reported that since after CCTV Set 4 went off the air strong protests have been heard from various quarters in Taiwan. Xindian District had enjoyed a broad mass of CCTV viewers in Taipei. Since CCTV Set 4 was put off the air last week every day saw over 200 protest calls from viewers flooding in TVBS. According to a local TV Station manager, if the suspension is not to be lifted TVBS might have to risk a heavy fine to let TV viewers access CCTV Set 4.

Questions?Comments? Click here

Commentary: Cultural Ties Hard to Sever, Frequent Cross-Strait Visits Encouraged

>> Full Coverage

China Calls for Total Israeli Withdrawal from Palestinian Territories ( 69 Messages)

Chinese Scientists Among First to Crack Genetic Code of Rice ( 6 Messages)

Ins and Outs of a Young American's Roguery on Bus in China ( 47 Messages)

Japanese Politician Claimed Japan Could Make Massive Nuclear Weapons to Curb China ( 19 Messages)

Don't Regard Politician's Clamor as Ravings, How Far Japan Is Away From Nuke ( 4 Messages)