Legislative Yuan Slashes Public Television Budget by Over 1 Billion; Industry Head Laments 'Audiovisual Tragic Business'

Taiwan's public broadcaster, the Public Television Service (PTS), is facing a significant threat to its operations as the Legislative Yuan reviews the 2025 budget. A proposal to cut and freeze over 1 billion New Taiwan dollars from PTS's funding, nearly half of its government donation, has sent shockwaves through the cultural and audiovisual sectors. Adding to the concern, the subsidy for TaiwanPlus, an international communication platform, is also targeted for complete elimination.

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What a tragedy, and what helplessness for the audiovisual 'tragic business'!

In response, the PTS board of directors and supervisors issued an emergency statement warning that these cuts would severely damage the public media's operations. Furthermore, 53 frontline producers from PTS, PTS Taiwan, and PTS Formosa collectively launched a joint petition against the proposed reductions.

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Legislators, do you understand this 'tragic business'? Do you understand the importance of the public broadcasting group at this moment? Please do not engage in political calculations. Taiwan is a country where politics serves the economy, not a political system where economy and culture serve politics. Please do not act unilaterally, let us 'make the nation great through culture' together, okay?

Lin Hsi-hui, president of the Taiwan Television Production Industry Association, penned a lengthy post on Facebook expressing his dismay and defending the public broadcasting group and the wider film and television industry. He lamented the current state of the industry, describing it as a "tragic business" facing immense challenges. Lin argued that while other industries benefit from free trade, the audiovisual sector has been historically disadvantaged and is now being further burdened by legislative actions during a period of industry decline.

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International platforms will only take established actors and directors. Remember, you have to raise your own children. International platforms only pick the fruits; they have no obligation to cultivate Taiwanese artists and industry personnel. Domestic platforms are the ones that nurture new talent. If investment stops, audiovisual personnel (actors/directors) will be cut off, so where is the future?

Lin appealed to legislators, questioning their understanding of the industry's plight and the crucial role PTS plays, especially at this juncture. He urged them to prioritize economic and cultural development over political calculations, advocating for a vision where "culture makes the nation great." He highlighted that PTS, unlike commercial platforms, does not prioritize profit or ratings, instead fostering local talent and pushing creative boundaries through programs like "Life Drama" and "Student Drama." Lin emphasized that PTS is a vital engine for innovation and the "last breath" of the Taiwanese audiovisual industry, warning that its demise would plunge the entire sector into an abyss.

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Economic strength can make a nation strong, but culture can make a nation great. For this beautiful island of Taiwan, for future generations to live in a great nation, let's start by defending our public broadcasting group!