TAIWAN: Government to accept HK, Macau media applications

Requests to post journalists from China-invested media outlets will be considered

Taipei Times
Saturday, January 6, 2007

The government began to accept applications yesterday from China-invested print media outlets in Hong Kong and Macau to post journalists in Taiwan.

Each media organization can post up to two journalists in Taiwan for a period of three months, with one extension allowed, the Government Information Office (GIO) said in a press statement.

The journalists are free to cover news events throughout the country but if they plan to report from the outlying islands of Kinmen and Matsu they are required to file an application with the relevant authorities in advance, the GIO said.

In addition, the journalists are forbidden from participating in local radio or television shows as guests or speakers unless they have obtained the GIO's permission, it said.

The GIO said that the new measure is aimed at enhancing Hong Kong and Macau residents' understanding of Taiwan and strengthening the relations between Taiwan and the two special administrative regions.

"News coverage from Hong Kong or Macau will reflect more facts since they are not strictly controlled by the Chinese government like Chinese news agencies," said Cabinet Spokesman Cheng Wen-tsang yesterday. "We are hoping that their future news coverage will help more Chinese people know and understand Taiwan."

Additional reporting by Jimmy Chuang.

Date Posted: 1/6/2007