Taiwan Authorities Put Mainland Reporters' Activities Under Strict SurveillanceTaiwan authorities recently declared that journalists from the mainland are allowed to carry out news covering in appointed spots in Taiwan.However, they simultaneously ordered the various organizations to closely watch and record every move of the mainland journalists and report it to the two competent departments--the "Information Bureau" and "Mainland Affairs Council" for the record. Besides, the "Department in Charge of Legislative Affairs" also ordered by letters various departments to pay close attention to mainland correspondents to see whether they have "abnormal conducts" when covering their units and, if things like this occur, they should report to the higher authorities or immediately stop the news covering. According to a Taiwan media report, on November 27, Taiwan "Information Bureau" and "Mainland Affairs Council" specially convened a meeting of the information liaison personnel of the secretariat and various affiliated government departments, telling them the need to adhere to policies and abide by various other related matters. The five-point content clearly stipulated that when being interviewed by mainland reporters, it is the spokesman or an authorized person that can speak on behalf of the authorities. Except for open press conference and approved exclusive interview, public servants are absolutely forbidden to have private talks or consultation with mainland correspondents. Taiwan Urged to Ease Restrictions on Mainland ReportersAn official from the All-China Journalists Association (ACJA) urged Taiwan Authorities November 17 to remove its irrational restrictions on visiting mainland journalists.On November 10, Taiwan authorities published a regulation on residential correspondents from the mainland, which contains a number of restrictions causing inconvenience to mainland reporters. The restrictions are concerned with applications, registration, certificate-acquirement and reporting, according to the official, who had an exclusive interview with Xinhua. The official said that the mainland began allowing Taiwan media to send reporters to the mainland four years ago and so far, correspondents from seven Taiwan-based media organs are staying in the mainland, on an incessant and rotating basis. However, to this day, no mainland news organ has been able to send correspondents to Taiwan on the same basis, he added. By PD Online staff Du Minghua |
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