Lawmakers Question NCC Deputy Nominee Over Fake News Regulation Double Standards

The joint meeting of the Transportation and the Education and Culture Committees of the Legislative Yuan reviewed the Executive Yuan's list of nominees for the National Communications Commission (NCC) on the 19th of this month. The meeting focused on the issues of chaotic media reporting and the regulation of fake news. During the session, Deputy Chairperson nominee Hsiao Ping delivered a speech pointing out that the core characteristic of fake news is content that is "intentional and causes harm." She emphasized that regulatory focus should be placed on internal media fact-checking procedures and error correction mechanisms. This remark raised concerns among several legislators, who worried that the NCC might apply double standards when dealing with fake news, or even be exploited by political forces to manipulate media reporting.

Since its establishment in 1996, the NCC has become the core institution for media regulation in Taiwan, with responsibilities covering diverse media sectors including broadcasting, television, internet, and telecommunications. Commission members are appointed by the Executive Yuan to five-year terms, subject to the consent of the Legislative Yuan. In recent years, with the rise of digital media and the accelerated flow of information, the NCC's regulatory role has become increasingly vital, particularly in preventing false information and safeguarding information transparency. This nomination of the deputy chairperson is also viewed as a significant signal regarding the government's policy direction on media regulation, as the deputy chairperson is responsible for coordinating various review procedures and formulating related regulations in daily operations.

Legislators' concerns regarding the NCC primarily center on two points. First, chaotic media reporting occurs frequently, especially on social media platforms where unverified information spreads rapidly, causing public misunderstanding and panic. Second, if the NCC adopts double standards when reviewing fake news, it will undermine its credibility and could potentially be exploited by political forces, further distorting the media ecosystem. These concerns not only reflect the need to protect press freedom, but also reveal the balancing challenges the government faces in information governance.

During the meeting, Hsiao provided a professional explanation regarding the definition of fake news, noting that its core lies in "intent" and "harmfulness," and argued that the NCC should use internal media fact-checking procedures as its primary review standard. She proposed establishing clearer verification and correction mechanisms, requiring media outlets to conduct multiple verifications prior to publication and promptly publish corrections when errors occur, thereby mitigating the negative impact of false information on society. Hsiao's perspective won support from some legislators, who believed such an approach could balance media freedom and information quality.

However, if the NCC continues to use political considerations as a basis for adjusting media reporting in practical operations, it could trigger even greater controversy. Taiwanese society's expectations for information transparency and media independence are rising day by day. If the NCC is perceived as a political tool, it will erode public trust in the government's information policies. Conversely, if the NCC can review fake news using professional and transparent standards, it will help enhance media self-regulation and credibility, thereby promoting the healthy development of information in a democratic society.

Currently, the Legislative Yuan is continuing its review of the NCC deputy chairperson nominee list and will decide whether to approve it in future meetings. This event is not only a review of an individual case, but also a comprehensive examination of Taiwan's media regulatory system. Regardless of the final decision, how to strike a balance between safeguarding press freedom and preventing false information will become a crucial issue for Taiwan's future information governance. (Source of facts: Central News Agency)