What has been the impact of the lifting of martial law on the publishing world?

"The influence has been very large; because the legal basis is different, everything has changed," says the Department of Publication Affairs (DPA) of the Government Information Office (GIO).

Most important is the scrapping of the "Law for Controlling Publications During Martial Law in the Taiwan Area." Under that law, a large number of items could be confiscated, including those by authors considered pro-Communist, and those which "slander leaders," "harm social order," or even "sow discord between the people and the government." With such broad scope and vague definitions, no wonder the publishing world was intimidated.

Today the supervision of printed matter comes under the "Publications Law." Under this law, three main items are restricted: items fomenting domestic rebellion or assisting foreign invasion; those that interfere with government duties, voting, or public order; and those that are blasphemous or offend public morals. The DPA points out that these offenses all come under criminal law. They have clear standards, and the scope of their use is extremely narrow.

Thus, though there are many publications which make sweeping attacks on the ruling party or on political figures, there is no basis in law to ban them. And libel laws only give the right to prosecute to the offended party. Ordinary publications from the mainland and "inside story" literature are legal, and even controversial views on Taiwan independence cannot suddenly be labelled as "rebellion" or "treason." It is hard to decide whether works violate the law, and often experts are consulted before it is decided whether or not to confiscate.

Different ideological views can now be openly discussed. For example, there has been a recent popularity on college campuses of the "new Marxism." The fundamental tone is anti-system and anti-authority. But there is nothing the government can do about it. "The law now has no power to oversee ideology," says one person in the industry.

Moreover, after martial law, the inspection of printed matter no longer uses the pre-publication method, and is no longer done by the Taiwan Garrison Command. It is often left to small staffs in the provincial or local government.

Because the scope of confiscation has shrunk, pornographic comics, books on gambling or superstition. . . all are rampant. There is no way to check them. Under the law, publishers must send one copy of a new issue to the GIO, the National Central Library, and local information offices. But given the thousands of different materials each month, the government can only rely on the "conscience" of the professionals.

Just as dimensions are broader, books that attracted readers with the mysterious aura of a "banned book" are now plummeting in sales. The publishing industry already recognizes that there are many different opinions, but what the people really want to read are the few really reasonable, trust-worthy pieces.

"Finally, Taiwan is no longer in an era where the government controls everything. The people and government should trust each other," says one person in publishing, concluding, "Though writers write, readers naturally have the ability to judge and make choices. Society has already reached a certain level of progress and stability which can't be shaken by a minority of different views."

In the era after martial law, it's open skies ahead for publishing.