TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s Public Television Service Board of Directors and Supervisors on Wednesday warned that proposed budget cuts and funding freezes by the legislature could seriously undermine public broadcasting, local film, and civil society.
The board said lawmakers are reviewing the PTS annual operating budget with proposed cuts and freezes totaling more than NT$1 billion (US$31 million), nearly half of the government’s allocation for the public broadcaster. It also warned that funding for TaiwanPlus could be completely eliminated, significantly weakening Taiwan’s public broadcasting system.
PTS described public broadcasting as an essential public service that supports democratic society while fostering the growth of Taiwan’s film and television industry. It said its directors, supervisors, management, and staff have worked to improve operational efficiency, earning recognition through numerous domestic and international awards.
The statement said public broadcasters in many other countries receive operating budgets several times larger than Taiwan’s. With funding already limited, further reductions would severely affect programming, leaving viewers with mostly reruns while threatening children’s programming, youth content, and television drama production.
PTS also objected to a proposal to freeze funding because the broadcaster has not completed the selection of a new board of directors and supervisors. The board said the process is not controlled by PTS.
Under Taiwan’s laws, board candidates are nominated by the Cabinet and reviewed by a special committee whose members are appointed by the legislature according to each political party’s seat share.
As a result, the foundation has neither the authority nor the ability to appoint its own directors and supervisors and should not be held responsible for delays in reorganizing its leadership, the statement said.
“Political issues should be resolved in the political arena,” the board said.
PTS leadership urged lawmakers to protect Taiwan’s public broadcasting system, describing it as a public good that is “easy to destroy but difficult to build.” It also called on legislators to preserve a communications platform that belongs to all of Taiwan’s people.
