Some media have reported that the government’s decision to suspend the permits for Chinese state-controlled Xinhua News Agency and the People’s Daily to station journalists in Taiwan may be considered a barrier to freedom of the press. In response, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) firmly stated today that the government has always abided by the democratic principles in defending freedom of the press and will never waver in this position. The temporary suspension of permits is strictly aimed at facilitating effective management of news correspondents from China. It is a part of the government’s continual efforts to maintain order in cross-strait news exchanges, and does not restrict freedom of the press. Therefore, over-analyzing from the public regarding the temporary suspension is unnecessary.
The MAC reiterated that the government’s continual promotion of cross-strait press exchanges over the years is aimed at increasing mutual information exchange. By enabling Taiwan’s free and diverse information to flow into China, it provides the Chinese media and people with channels to understand Taiwan. Just recently, the Taiwanese government permitted a fifth media outlet from China to station in Taiwan. However, the journalists from Xinhua News Agency and the People’s Daily stationed in Taiwan have deliberately distorted facts through biased reporting to meet the demands and requirements of the Chinese government. These journalists have violated the objectivity and neutrality of journalism.
The MAC indicated that after China’s passage of the “anti-separation law” (so-called “anti-secession law”), the Taiwanese government has no other choice but to adopt the extreme measure of temporarily suspending the entry of journalists from Xinhua News Agency and the People’s Daily. This is to maintain order in cross-strait press exchanges and implement effective management measures. This move will not only prevent the mainland Chinese people from being misled by biased reports, but also avoid further deterioration of cross-strait relations. Therefore, it is unfair and inconsistent with facts to mistaken the Taiwanese government’s measures to facilitate positive cross-strait interaction with violation of freedom of the press.
The MAC stressed that it is the Chinese government that should be criticized for its suppressions and restrictions of freedom of the press and speech. China has made no concrete improvements in this regard, and its actions have even shown regression. In fact, the Chinese government is a regime that exerts all means to repress freedom of the press. China strictly blocks out any Taiwan-related news as well as news that it does not wish its people to see from websites and media reports. The most recent examples include the suppression of the Southern Metropolis Daily, the cover-up of the Sichuan farmer unrest news, the shut down of the electronic bulletin board systems in Peking University and Tsing Hua University, the suppression of the views by associate professor Jiao Guobiao of the Peking University School of Journalism and Communication, and the diminution of coverage on the news of the Pope’s death. Furthermore, the Chinese media reported extensively on their suppression of President Chen Shui-bian’s visit to the Vatican. All these blatant actions were clear and visible. During last year’s World Press Freedom Day on May 3, the U.S. State Department publicly denounced the Chinese authorities for suppressing freedom of the press on the Internet and arresting active users of the Internet. These are evidences of the Chinese government’s suppressions of freedom of the press.
The MAC stated that according to the International Press Institute, freedom of the press is defined as follows: “free access to news, free transmission of news, free publication of newspapers, and free expression of views.” To be sure, freedom of the press is the right of journalists to transmit or receive news through mass media without being subject to excessive scrutiny, restriction, or invention. The MAC indicated that based on the definition of freedom of the press, it is evident that China’s attitude towards the media severely violates the freedom of the press and should under severe criticisms as a result. If the Chinese government is able to achieve the standards of freedom of the press defined by the International Press Institute, the MAC believes that barrier-free news exchanges across the Strait is possible. Before this can be achieved, the MAC hopes that all sectors in Taiwan will jointly urge China to begin by lifting its ban on the China Times and United Daily News websites.
The MAC stressed that the Taiwanese government remains firm in its determination in promoting positive cross-strait news exchanges. The government is currently assessing and planning measures to allow other Chinese media outlets that can promote freedom of speech in China to station journalists in Taiwan. The MAC will announce the names of these media outlets when the timing is right. In addition, frequent interactions between media outlets in Taiwan and Hong Kong have been increasing since last year. Several media outlets in Hong Kong have already conducted exchanges or in-depth interviews with the MAC. The government is also assessing the feasibility of allowing the Hong Kong electronic media to station in Taiwan and will announce the results to the public at a later time.
The MAC indicated that Taiwan has an unwavering responsibility to promote freedom and democracy in China. Freedom of the press and speech are significant components for China’s march towards democratization. For this reason, the MAC sincerely urges former MAC Vice Chairman Mayor Ma Ying-jeou and former MAC Chairman Su Chi to assist the MAC in promoting immediate improvements in freedom of the press and speech in China.