GIO will not interfere with media plan to interview Chinese leaders

"The GIO has been consistent in refraining from meddling in day-to-day media operations or their specific operational plans so long as they follow the principles of professional independence and uphold our national dignity," said GIO Minister Su Jun-pin.

Fielding questions at a meeting of the Legislative Yuan's Education and Culture Committee, Su said the GIO conventionally does not interfere with local media's plans to interview international figures or celebrities, regardless of whether the media in question is a fully privately owned organization or a public body that receives funding from the national coffers.

During the session, opposition Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Chen Ting-fei asked Su about the propriety of a Radio Taiwan International (RTI) plan to interview China's senior party and government leaders.

According to the RTI's 2010 agenda and budget plan, the station plans to interview a number of senior Chinese leaders in the coming year to provide first-hand information about China's policy toward Taiwan.

"Why should the GIO donate more than NT$400 million (US$12.28 million) in funds to RTI annually for it to fawn on or curry favor with China?" Chen asked.

In response, Su said that China's state-run Xinhua news agency has filed applications with the GIO in the past to exclusively interview President Ma Ying-jeou and other Taiwanese leaders, including the premier.

"However, Ma rejected Xinhua's interview proposal," Su said.

In arranging for international news media to interview the nation's top leaders, Su went on, the GIO has to factor in practical national needs and timing.

He noted for example that the GIO tends to arrange for American, Japanese and other foreign media to interview Ma or other senior officials before the World Health Organization holds its annual conference in May.

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