Hu Yuan-hui Expresses Deep Concern Over Public Media's Plight After Being Asked to Leave Legislative Session for 'Lack of Official Capacity'

(Central News Agency reporter Zhao Jing-yu, Taipei, May 7) Hu Yuan-hui, Chairman of the Public Television Service (PTS), was asked to leave the Legislative Yuan's Education and Culture Committee today for 'lack of official capacity.' He later stated on Facebook that he did not experience significant emotional fluctuations but expressed 'deep concern' about the development of public media in such a politicized environment.

Hu Yuan-hui stated that while legislators' concern for the PTS Group's affairs is acceptable and within their authority, provided they respect the principle of 'independence and non-interference' stipulated in the PTS Law, the current PTS board has twice issued statements calling on relevant political authorities to expedite the re-election and reorganization of the PTS board to facilitate the governance of the PTS Group. He added, "I even publicly issued a statement before my term expired, hoping for a swift handover."

Hu Yuan-hui explained that regarding the extension of PTS board members' terms, the Legislative Yuan amended the PTS Law earlier this year, deleting the provision for term extension added more than two years ago, which allowed incumbent board members to continue serving until the next board was formed. Hu Yuan-hui clarified that when the PTS Law previously had no extension provision, the extension of duties was handled according to the succession provisions of the Foundation Law, meaning that when special laws do not regulate, general laws apply.

Hu Yuan-hui emphasized that the current board members are not clinging to their positions but are concerned that if the board experiences a hiatus and ceases operation, it would severely impact the daily operations of the PTS Group, including important work plans such as program production and public service activities that cannot be carried out; the leasing and lending of real estate and broadcasting equipment would also cease.

Other matters, such as procurement cases exceeding a certain amount requiring the chairman's approval, the issuance of year-end and performance bonuses, the approval of various policy documents and reports, and the approval, registration, and cancellation of external endorsements, guarantees, and other related documents; financial institution dealings; and the approval of important forms, would all be unable to be executed.

Hu Yuan-hui believes that the responsibility for the re-election and reorganization of the PTS board should not be borne by the incumbent board members, nor should it come at the cost of paralyzing the PTS Group's operations, "because public media should not be an object of political struggle, let alone a victim of political calculations."

Hu Yuan-hui said that his personal encounter is a minor matter, "but the value and dignity of public media must be defended." (Editor: Lin Shu-hui) 1150507

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