AUGUST 3, 2005
Posted: August 18, 2005
ETTV-S
CENSORED
The Taiwanese government halted the broadcasts of cable television news station ETTV-S and revoked its license, citing “irresponsible” reporting. The Government Information Office, the official agency tasked with monitoring the media, accused the station of abusing broadcast guidelines with sensational coverage of sex scandals and crime, and of airing false news. ETTV-S continued to broadcast its programming through sister channels.
Local opposition politicians and journalists condemned the move, saying the government was seeking to control the press. The GIO defended its actions by stating that some news media workers “have employed illegal practices or practices counter to acceptable industry standards in order to compete with other programs.” The statement did not specify the reports that resulted in the license revocation.