This study examined some ofthe most commonly cited factors that affect the reforms of broadcast policies governing developing countries' broadcast media, and how these factors influence the establishment ofTaiwan's cultural sphere. The subjects for this study were key persons from government, educational, economic and television production sectors involved in the planning and implementation of broadcast policies in Taiwan. They included public officials responsible for broadcasting policy, educators and community activists, media policy analysts and television manager and producers.
The data ofthe study were collected through informant interviewing and document review. Within the Government Information Office, a number of public officials were consulted. Beyond the GIO, other media sources and agencies provided important documentation in the form of surveys and reports. The investigation was carried out in Taiwan over a period offour months between April and August 2004. The results ofthis research reveal that in spite of the expectation that television should be used to help foster and promote national culture, Taiwan has not successfully developed and implemented policies to ensure the achievement ofthis policy goal. The research findings indicate that the production ofdomestic television programs are undermined through a colonized broadcasting system. Despite the influence offoreign broadcasters over the cultural production, the case study also shows that the role of civil society group in restructuring television industry is made manifest by resistance to private groups' intervention in the broadcasting policy process.
This study has practical implications for the formulation ofnational broadcasting policies in recently-democratic countries and other countries facing similar dilemmas. The broadcasting policy analysis conducted in this study focused in part on the commercialism offoreign television programs, which severely threatens indigenous cultures around the world. In an era of globalization, the preservation oflocal identity is a challenging goal for broadcasting policy planners since many states have embraced neo-liberalism approaches to the communication sector. Within a situation ofglobal-local nexus, the study concludes that protection ofnational cultural spheres will be the important policy agenda for both policy makers and researcher for years to come.
Relation:
The Floriida State University College of Communication
