Taiwan's Next Media Group Sale Sparks Censorship Fears
Taiwans internationally-known Next Media group has become famous for its racy, animated graphics depicting events in the news. But now, there are worries about its future, as its owners contemplate a sale. The potential buyers business interests in China could reign-in the groups creative and controversial content.
Instead of hearing television announcers read off high and low temperatures, viewers in Taiwan get their weather report through a young woman dancing to disco music. Shes among Next Televisions seven Weather Girls, one for every day of the week.
This racy, experimental approach to news has helped Next Media build a worldwide reputation. Next Medias creative teams work quickly to produce animated parodies of headline grabbing news events. Targets have included Chinese trade practices, U.S. politicians, the global economic slowdown and even golf champion Tiger Woods marital problems.
But in Taiwan, the sometimes controversial content has drawn the attention of the islands broadcast regulators. Now the owner, Hong Kong media mogul Jimmy Lai, fears the government will not let him expand in Taiwan.
So, when a Taiwanese business consortium made an offer to buy Next Medias daily newspaper, TV operation and two magazines in October, the company went into negotiations.
A key consortium member is Want Want Group Chairman Tsai Eng-meng. His group already controls several Taiwanese media seen as warm toward China, where Tsai has other business interests.
Chu Li, a media studies professor at National Chengchi University in Taipei, says Taiwanese people have a right to worry about Chinas influence in the proposed sale.
He says that China is not an open society, so thats a reason to worry. He says, if China were an open country then and they intervened, you could scold and criticize them back, but this situation is not as clear.
The companys Apple Daily newspaper, which has the widest daily circulation in Taiwan, and its colorful magazines have made money.
However, Next Medias commercial director Mark Simon says the group lost $200 million on its Taiwan television station. But he says that government regulation is the core reason for deciding to sell.
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Taiwan's Next Media Group Sale Sparks Censorship Fears