Society, state, and electronic media policy: The introduction of cable to Taiwa

In 1988, the government of the Republic of China decided to develop cable television and to allow private enterprises to provide cable services. This decision raised a number of questions that prompted this research in which the interrelationships among the factors that have culminated in the emergence of cable TV in Taiwan have been identified and described.;In this study the answers to the following questions are explored: (1) To what extent does the KMT ideology influence the ROC state and its communication policy? (2) Why does the state promote cable television? Does this reflect any change in the state's overall electronic media policy? (3) Will the decision by the KMT state to construct cable TV solve issues such as privatizing ownership, liberalizing the use of dialect, diversifying TV programs, and accommodating foreign DBS?;Several indirect reasons and immediate factors contributing to the emergence of cable TV were identified. Indirect causes included (1) the restriction of radio frequencies; (2) control of installations; (3) restriction of dialects used by the electronic media; (4) monopoly of electronic media. The immediate causes include (1) elimination of the illegal "Channel 4"; (2) sharing the cost of the telecommunication network; (3) meeting the political opposition's demand for media access. In addition to these, the KMT's political doctrine, the powerful state and societal transformation also influence the changes in the ROC's electronic media policy.;This dissertation is divided into six chapters. Chapter I is devoted to the introduction and rationale for the study. Chapter II reviews theories and literature pertaining to relevant policy issues. Chapter III provides a background of the existing social problems in Taiwan as they relate to the demands which led to the decision to develop cable TV. It also describes the ROC's national ideology and the relationship of Taiwan's electronic media to the KMT state. The factors that led to the shift of government policies and regulations on electronic media and culminated in establishing cable TV systems are analyzed in chapter IV. Chapter V describes the present market situation in Taiwan regarding programming, advertising and technology. Chapter VI summarizes this study and suggests insights into the policy process and suggests communication policy actions for Taiwan.