The effect of the global village:
Yen Jung-chang says that when the cable television bill is passed by the Legislative Yuan, control of this major relay system will be a basis for management and Star TV can hope to get a legitimate status.
"The reality of high ratings might force regulatory policy to move away from nonlegal openness towards limited openness," is the opinion of Chen Wen. Looking at it in the long term, the trend of the policy of the Chinese Communists might be similar to that in Taiwan, with a gradual opening up.
"Such is the efficacy of the global village that has been created by broadcasting technology," says director-general of Star TV, Chen Chen-hsiang. Perhaps it is a bit of an exaggeration to use the term "global village." Yet as Asia's first media dedicated to the Chinese area, it is hard to avoid having people getting rather high hopes about Star TV being able to bolster a little the ability of Asia's Chinese to come together.
Nevertheless, "Listening to the same pop songs, watching the same stirring soap operas, worshipping the same idols, cannot but be effective in reducing barriers and enabling communication," is the view of Wang Hsiao-hsiang, general secretary of the preparatory committee for public television.
Associate professor of National Chengchi University's department of journalism, Feng Chien-san, also points out that what is really needed to sweep away barriers and misunderstandings and establish consensus is to open up sincere and public debate and to report on all countries' political problems and public affairs. "However, because Star TV wants to avoid angering the closed psychology of the governments concerned, such things cannot be mentioned."
How to escape from these psychological shadows will be the biggest challenge for Asiasat as it comes up against the governments of Asia.
[Picture Caption]
p.112
Breaking the restrictions imposed by distance, having the whole world in your hand, is one of mankind's dreams and the reasoning behind the appearance of satellite TV. (photo by Diago Chiu)
p.113
Through satellite dishes information from abroad can cross borders and boundaries.
p.114
Taiwan's three network stations are an important source of programs for Star TV.
p.115
Whether or not foreign programs should be allowed into every home with absolutely no screening is a matter which is still being argued about all over the world.
p.116
The situation of satellite reception varies greatly between the countries of Asia: the R.O.C. permitted the installation of "small ear" receivers (above) four years ago; in Vietnam (facing page), where economic recovery has just begun, they are forbidden and the people have no means to install them.
p.118
Only when satellite television from abroad is both sensational and compatible with audience tastes can it penetrate the market.