NCC probes Jaw Shaw-kong’s VP candidacy for legal breaches

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — National Communications Commission (NCC) on Friday (Nov. 24) stated that it has yet to determine if the newly announced vice-presidential candidate of the Kuomintang (KMT), Jaw Shaw-kong, has violated the non-partisanship stipulations of Article 5-1 of the Radio and Television Act.

KMT's presidential candidate, Hou Yu-ih, had announced earlier that day that Jaw, the chairman of the Broadcasting Corporation of China (BCC), would be his running mate. 

Jaw, who holds shares in BCC, also hosts programs on BCC and TVBS.

As per Wong Po-tsung, the vice-chairperson and spokesperson for NCC, further determination is required to ascertain whether Jaw's recommendation as the vice-presidential candidate breaches regulations regarding investment or board membership restrictions for government officials, political party staff, and elected public servants.

The commission plans to review commitments made by Jaw during the 2007 acquisition of shares in BCC, where he pledged that his management would not be influenced by party politics or military affairs. In addition, NCC will examine the amendment clauses that pertained to this year's changes in the board of directors and supervisors.

Regarding Jaw's role as host of TVBS political commentary shows, NCC intends to inspect whether TVBS's self-regulatory mechanisms are being adhered to after the license renewal. These stipulate that political show hosts should not hold party or public office positions.

Following Jaw's registration as a vice-presidential candidate, TVBS has stated they will replace him as the host of the related programs, reaffirming their commitment to uphold the principles of media neutrality, objectivity, and fairness.