TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Media organizations will face fines of up to NT$500,000 (US$15,700) if they make exaggerated predictions for typhoons near Taiwan, reports said Saturday.
The fines starting at NT$100,000 form part of a package of amendments to the Meteorological Act prepared by the Central Weather Administration, per UDN. The measures target the inappropriate use of weather data and the use of exaggerated language to describe tropical storms and typhoons.
If the media fail to heed warnings from the administration to moderate their language, they will be targeted with the fines. The media also need to give precise mention of their sources, as in recent years, they have often taken forecasts from private organizations and online sites, the administration said.
Reports need to avoid using inflammatory and exaggerated terms, describing expected typhoons as the “strongest in history” or as “explosive” or “destructive” before they even approach Taiwan.
As a result of climate change, the amendments will expand the notion of weather disasters to include tropical depressions and high temperatures. The change will allow government departments and local governments to respond with adequate measures, including “high-temperature holidays.”
The concept of “space weather” will cover geomagnetic storms and their impact on satellite communications and on GPS systems. Following the examples of legislation in Japan and South Korea, citizens and businesses will be able to ask the Central Weather Administration for documents about the weather for use in insurance and construction disputes.
The proposed amendments to the Meteorological Act are subject to suggestions from the public until March 16, before they will be discussed by the Cabinet and submitted to the Legislative Yuan.
