是反中國因素,還是反媒體壟斷

「反旺中」運動的觀察(with English translation)

王曉波
(世新大學教授)


從2012年7月31日以來,一些綠營學者發起學生的「反旺中」運動,直至清大研究生陳為廷在綠營立委支持下,當面指責教育部長蔣偉寧「說謊,偽善」,並逼使其道歉,故社會輿論嘩然,但卻有李遠哲、杜正勝等中研院學者聯名聲援。

「反中國因素」還是「反壟斷」?

「反旺中」的理由很堂皇,就是反對新科台灣首富蔡衍明,四年前併購了《中國時報》集團的媒體,形成了「媒體壟斷」,破壞了新聞媒體的多元化和新聞自由,並長期來受到《自由時報》和《蘋果日報》的攻訐。今年,又傳出蔡衍明,夥同四位台商,還要併購《蘋果日報》及黎智英在台的《壹週刊》及電視台。反媒體壟斷就更加堂皇,余英時也加入了,民進黨也介入了。

「反旺中」運動真的是為維護新聞自由反對媒體壟斷嗎?

「傳播學生斗陣責任編輯」許峰源和田育志聯名發表《反媒體壟斷,不只是反媒體壟斷》一文中說:

「其中,容易被提出的論述,且引起眾人共鳴的,無非是學生在行政院靜坐抗議當天所強調的『反對中國因素介入台灣媒體』的主張,同時也因中研院院士余英時的來信,使得此項訴求更深植眾人心中,然而,批評的聲浪也就此展開,『反中國因素』猶如一柄雙面刃,引來有心人士以『泛政治化』的理由,試圖將這起『媒體改革運動』抹上一層綠。

但『反中國因素』錯了嗎?其實早在2010年,旺中集團欲併購台灣第二大有線電視系統台『中嘉』時,『對於中國可能以購置台灣媒體的方式,進而造成言論壟斷』的疑慮就已被提出討論;因為涉及的是海峽兩岸敏感的統獨意識,甚至可能是國家安全的層次,所以,中國因素,要不要反呢?

而在近期的壹傳媒出售案,有關中國因素的疑慮,不外乎是新資方之一的蔡衍明背後龐大的經濟效益,多半來自於中國,自然會使人再次連結蔡衍明的『中資』是否會使得被購買後的媒體,在新聞報導上,轉為偏向中國的立場,影響台灣社會原有的多元言論?」(《立報》2012-12-14)

年輕的學生說出了真話

學生畢竟年輕,說出了真話,「反旺中」不是什麼反媒體壟斷和維護新聞自由,而是「反中國因素」。也許因為是學生,僅僅在這段摘錄的文字中就破綻百出。

在戒嚴時期,電子媒體根本沒有開放民營,台灣的新聞自由是被政府媒體或親政府媒體所壟斷,紙面媒體除了政府媒體外,民營報紙有《中國時報》、《聯合報》,二位報老闆都是國民黨的中常委,真正無黨無派標榜的只有吳三連的《自立晚報》。其他的紙面媒體都是依賴政府的反共宣傳費維持的。

開放報禁後,《中時》、《聯合》迅速擴張,不但擁有海內外數份報紙、雜誌期刊、出版事業,甚至併購電子媒體。在激烈競爭下,官方媒體紛紛倒閉,《自立晚報》也終於撐不下去而關門。當時,我們可從來沒有聽過余英時有「反媒體壟斷」的言論。

後來有挾著土地財團和政商關係介入媒體競爭的《自由時報》脫穎而出。再後來才有香港來的黎智英《蘋果日報》及《壹週刊》,並發展至電子媒體。而黎在香港就有美國中情局背景的傳聞。

因此,我們不禁要問,蔡衍明的旺旺集團併購《中時》之前,《中時》就沒有「媒體壟斷」;《中時》老闆換成蔡衍明,《中時》就「媒體壟斷」。同樣的《中時》怎麼就會從沒壟斷變成有壟斷呢?這種說法只能哄哄小孩,果然一些學生被哄。

只有「反中國因素」才有新聞自由?

更不通的是只有「反中國因素」才有新聞自由和多元化,有了「中國因素」就沒了新聞自由和多元化。殊不知,有多元化,才能有選擇,有選擇才能有自由。只有「反中國因素」,沒有「中國因素」,如何選擇,沒有選擇何來自由。所以,台灣必須要是包括「反中國因素」和「中國因素」才能是一個有新聞自由的多元化社會。再說,任何時代都有高呼「萬歲」的言論自由,但只有允許反對的言論存在,才是真正有言論自由。只准有「反中國因素」,不准有反「反中國因素」,這是法西斯,不是民主自由和多元化。

更甚者,「反中國意識」居然上綱到「統獨意識」和「國家安全」。當年哪一件白色恐怖的冤案不是為了「國家安全」?這又與戒嚴時期國民黨箝制言論自由何異?這簡直是白色恐怖的復活。

說對中國因素的疑慮來自蔡衍明在大陸賺的「中資」,更是莫名其妙。「反旺中」運動至今拿不出蔡衍明任何「中資」的證據,只是「疑慮」,有了疑慮,就可以要求NCC非法拒絕蔡衍明合法併購媒體,果真用「疑慮」就能辦案,台灣還有法治嗎?用「疑慮」辦案這是專制時代的「腹誹」、「誅心」。今天台灣的自由民主到這個地步能不令人心寒嗎?

再說,賺大陸的錢就有疑慮,就要反。歷年來,台灣所賺大陸的錢,早已超過台灣現有的外匯存底,難道也要疑慮,也要反?現在,台灣的對外貿易,大陸市場已佔42%,也要反,失業人口誰養,誰負責?有志氣,學「文革」,「自力更生,勤儉建國」,「革命無罪,造反有理」,「打倒一切反動派」。什麼「我是學生,我反旺中」,只是一些被煽動起來無知無識的「紅衛兵」而已。當年,毛澤東在天安門廣場校閱紅衛兵,一次就是上百萬,「反旺中」能及其項背嗎?

中國大陸崛起,成為世界第二大經濟體,甚至預測很快就要超過美國而居第一。並且,在世界金融海嘯中,成為全球經濟發展的引擎。即使再膨風「台灣第一,台灣優先」,能不受到中國大陸影響嗎?

台灣從冷戰以來被編入美國陣營

美國為了維護其在東亞的霸權,而遏制中國崛起,妖魔化中國。台灣自冷戰以來,被編入美國陣營,美其名曰「自由世界」--是台灣人民在「白色恐怖」統治下的「自由世界」,一切的學術、思想、文化、經濟、政治莫不受到美國的控制和操縱。在媒體上莫不一片妖魔化中國大陸,甚至造謠抹黑。一旦有媒體可能公正客觀的報導大陸,「國王的新衣」即被揭穿。

「反旺中」原來是只反「中國(蔡衍明)因素」,不反「美國(黎智英)因素」,民進黨蘇貞昌也一反常規,居然超越「族群」,挺外省人(黎智英),打本省人(蔡衍明)。所以,「反旺中」根本不是「反媒體壟斷」,而是美國「重返亞洲」新冷戰的先鋒,為美國霸權主義阻擋「中國因素」影響台灣,而只能讓「美國因素」獨霸台灣。

知識份子和大學本應為「社會的良心」,或「為天地立心,為生民立命」,或「先天下之憂而憂,後天下之樂而樂」,但台灣竟然有這麼一批知識份子和大學生,無視於美國策動一個「阿拉伯之春」,就要犧牲數十萬人,血流成河,而心甘情願作美國霸權主義新冷戰的先鋒,並以「疑慮」扼殺「旺中」可能對中國大陸理性客觀的報導,和阻礙海峽兩岸的和解和相互瞭解。

有這樣的知識份子和大學生,我們夫復何言,只有祈禱美國霸權主義的戰爭瘟疫不要降臨台灣寶島。

不過,畢竟主觀意志是不能代替客觀規律的。近四百年處於中國海疆的台灣,我們發現一條歷史的規律,由於世界航海運動,台灣遂成為中國勢力與外國勢力的角逐之地。中國勢力強,則台灣屬於中國;中國勢力弱,則台灣離開中國。鄭成功驅逐荷蘭人,是中國勢力驅逐外國勢力;《馬關條約》割台,是外國勢力驅逐中國勢力;八年抗戰,台灣光復,是中國勢力驅逐外國勢力;韓戰爆發,美軍第七艦隊進駐台灣海峽,兩岸分裂至今。

1979年,大陸改革開放,30多年於茲,而有經濟崛起,改變了整個世界的經濟結構,才有台灣外匯存底來自對大陸的出口;台商在大陸獲利,蔡衍明成為台灣首富。

「反旺中」是為美國獨霸台灣的運動

知識份子本應走在時代的前方,帶領時代歷史的前進,促進兩岸和平發展,結束兩岸敵對狀態。「反旺中」運動卻是為美國霸權主義獨霸台灣,而螳臂擋車的「反中國因素」,也必然將為歷史的巨輪輾碎。我們願意拭目以待。◆

Is it anti-China factor, or anti-media monopolization?

An observation of the 「anti-Want-China Times Movement」

by Hsiao-Po Wang(王曉波),

Professor, Shih Hsin University

Since 31, July, 2012, some Green-Camp scholars mobilized students to the 「anti-Want-China Times」 movement. Thereafter, with the support of the legislators of the Green-Camp, Wei-Tin Chen(陳為廷), a graduate student of the National Tsing Hua University accused Wei-Nin Chiang(蔣偉寧), the Minister of Education , as 「liar, hypocrite」 in person and forced him to apologize. This event appalled social opinion but earned a joint public support from scholars of Academia Sinica(中研院) including Dr. Yuan-Tseh Lee(李遠哲) and Cheng-Sheng Tu(杜正勝).

「Anti-China factor」 or 「anti-monopolization」?

The reasoning for 「 anti-Want-China Times」 is high-sounding, which is to oppose Eng-Meng Tsai(蔡衍明), the new richest person in Taiwan, who purchased the China Times Media Group four years ago and thus formed 「media monopolization』 which sabotaged the diversification and press freedom. And Tsai has been attacked by the Liberty Times and the Apple Daily for a long time. This year, it was heard that Eng-Meng Tsai, with other four businessmen who have business in mainland China, intend to purchase the Apple Daily, the Next Weekly and TV station from Jimmy Lai(黎智英). The anti-media monopolization has been even more high-sounding than before, with Ying-Shih Yu(余英時) joining in, so did the Democratic Progressive Party.

Is 」anti-Want-China Times」 movement 『s opposing media monopolization really for the sake of protecting press freedom?

Fong-Yuan Shu(許峰源) and Yu-Chi Tian(田育志), the 「executive editor of the Media Student Fighting Front」, jointly wrote Anti-media Monopolization, What』s More than Anti-monopolization. It said:

「The argument that is easy to be referred and evoke public empathy is as those student emphasized during their sit-in in front of the Executive Yuan, which is 『opposing China factor getting involved in Taiwan media』. With the letter from Academia Sinica academician Ying-shih Yu, their appealing was even more easy for public to accept. However, the voice of criticism has also started. 『Anti-china factor』 is like a double- edged sword which invites people with particular purpose to paint Green on this 『 Media reform movement』 in the reason of 『 pan-politicization』』』.

「But is 『anti-China factor』 wrong? As early as in 2010, actually, when Want-China Times Media Group tried to acquire the second largest cable system in Taiwan , 『Chung Chia』, the concern about 『China may buy Taiwanese media as a way to monopolize opinion』 had been raised and discussed. Since it involves the sensitive ideological issue of whether Taiwan should be reunited with China or staying separated from China, even up to the level as an issue of national security, so, China-factor, do we oppose it or not?

「In the recent Next Media Group selling case, the worries about the China factor based, not surprisingly, on the vast profit of one of the purchasers, Eng-Meng Tsai, mostly came from China. Naturally, people make the linkage as whether Eng-Meng Tsai』s 「Chinese capital』 may cause the purchased media turn toward favoring China in news reporting and affecting the existing diversified opinion of Taiwanese society?」 (Lihpao, Dec. 14, 2012)

The young students spoke the truth

Those students are young after all, and they have told the truth. 「Anti-Want-China Times」 has never been anti-media monopolization and protecting the press freedom, but in fact 「anti-China factor」. Maybe because they are students, in such a short excerpt from the previous mentioned article can so many flaws be found.

During the Martial Law era, there was no privately owned TV and broadcasting media. The press freedom in Taiwan was monopolized by government』s media or pro-governmental media. As the printing media, beside those owned by government, there were only two newspapers, i.e. China Times and United Daily News privately owned. Both of these two papers』 bosses were members of the Central Standing Committee of the KMT. Only San-Lian Wu』s (吳三連) Independence Evening Post flaunted itself as being truly party-free. Other papers were all relying on government』s anti-Communism propaganda budget.

After the ban on new newspapers was lifted, China Times and United Daily News expanded quickly. Not only did they own several newspapers, magazines and publishing companies in Taiwan and abroad, they even acquired television station. Other governmental papers closed one by one under the fierce competition. Finally, the Independence Evening Post could not hold on anymore as well. During that time, we had never heard Ying-shih Yu spoke of 「anti-media monopolization」.

Then, with the wealth of a land developing group and good political connections, The Liberty Times stood out as one of the front runners. Afterward, there came the Apple Daily and the Next Weekly of Jimmy Lai from Hong Kong, who later expanded his press enterprise to television. However, while Lai was in Hong Kong, it is said CIA was behind him.

Therefore, we can not help but to ask: there was no problem of 「media monopolization」 with China Times before it was purchased by Eng-Meng Tsai of Want Want Group, why there was 「media monopolization」 problem with China Times after the boss was replaced by Eng-Meng Tsai? It has been the same China Times, how come it changed from no monopoly to being monopoly? This theory can only delude children, no wonder some students were fooled.

Only by 「anti-China factor」 can we have press freedom?

There is even less sense in claiming only by 「anti-China factor」 can we have press freedom and diversification; while with 「China factor」, there will be no press freedom and diversification. What the claimers do not know is, only with diversity that we may have choices, with choices that we have freedom. Only 「anti-China factor」 and no 「China factor」, how can one choose? And, what kind of freedom is it without any choices? Therefore, Taiwan has to include 「anti-China factor」 and 「China factor」 as well to be a diversified society with press freedom. Also, there would always be the freedom to chanting 」 Long Live」 in any era, but only when the opposing voices were tolerated that make genuine freedom of express. Allow only 「anti-China factor」 but not the anti 「anti-China factor」 is Fascism, not democracy, freedom and diversity.

Worse is, 「anti-China ideology」 was elevated to the extent as concerning 「reunite or independence ideology」 and 「national security」. Which unjust White Terror case was not in the name of 「national security」 in the past? Are these claims different from the clinching of freedom of express by KMT during Martial Law period? This is almost the revival of the White Terror.

To suspect China factor on the ground that Eng-Meng Tsai earned his 「Chinese Capital」 in mainland even makes no sense. Until now, 「anti-Want China Times」 movement has not yet provided any evidence of Eng-Meng Tsai owns any 「China』s Capital」, it has only been 「suspected」. With suspicion, they demanded NCC illegally reject the lawful rights of Eng-Meng Tsai to acquire media. If we can solve cases with 「suspicion」, needs Taiwan the rule of law? To use 「suspicion」 as a tool for investigation is the so-called 「unspoken criticism」 and 「punishing thoughts」 in the dictatorship era. How can we not be bitterly disappointed that the freedom and democracy of Taiwan has declined to such a state as today?

Besides, if one has to be suspected and opposed just because of making money in mainland, Taiwan has earned money from mainland for so many years that the sum has long exceeded the current foreign reserves, is even this subject to suspicion and opposing too? The market of China occupies 42% of the foreign trade of Taiwan. If we oppose this as well, who is going to support all those unemployed people? Who will take responsibilities? Being that proud, why not copy the 「Cultural Revolution」, 「self-reliance to fighting our way and building country with hard-working and thrifty」, 「the revolution is blameless, rebellion with grounds」, 「strike down every reactionary.」 What is 「I am student, I am against Want-China Times」 but some fanned up 」Red Guards」 who are lack of the knowledge. In the past, chairman Mao Ze-Dung reviewed Red Guards on Tiananmen Square. Over one million people summoned up easily. Can 「anti-Want China Times」 compete?

Mainland China has emerged as the second largest economy in the world, even was predicted to take over the US as the No.1. Besides, during the global financial crisis, China was the engine of global economic development. No matter how we brag about 「Taiwan first, Taiwan prior」, can we not be influenced by Mainland China?

Taiwan has been enlisted in American camp since the Cold War

To protect its hegemony in East Asia, America has been curbing China』s emergence and to demonize China. Ever since the start of the Cold War, Taiwan had been enlisted in the American camp which, in a beautified name, was called 「the free world」. It was a 「free world」 that saw Taiwanese ruled by 「White Terror」. From academia, thoughts, culture, economy to politics, everything was controlled and manipulated by the US. The press and the media overwhelmingly demonized China, even making false accusation. Once there were media possibly reporting about China with fair and objective view, the truth about 「the Emperor』s new clothes」 was subsequently being exposed.

In the end, 「anti-Want China Times」 has been nothing but anti 「China (Eng-Meng Tsai) factor」, it does not oppose」 America (Jimmy Lai ) factor」 at all. Su Tseng-Chang(蘇貞昌), the chairman of DPP, has also been acting out of character. He transcended 「racial community」 issue and supported a mainlander ( Jimmy Lai ) and opposed to a Taiwanese (Eng-Meng Tsai ). Therefore, 「anti-Want-China Times」 is not about 「anti-media monopolization」, it has been the vanguard for the US to 「Return to Asia」 to start a new Cold War, to stop 「China factor」 influencing Taiwan for the interest of American hegemony and allowing only the 「America factor」 monopolizes Taiwan.

Intellectuals and universities are supposed to be the 「conscience of the society」, 「 to set the value of justice and fairness to the world, to give moral aspiration for all the people」, or to 「worry before the world starts to worry and happy after the world feels happy」. However, there are a group of intellectuals and university students in Taiwan who ignored that by fanning 「 Arab Spring」, America has sacrificed hundreds of thousands people and their places sinking in bloodbath. They act willingly as the vanguard of America hegemony』s new Cold War and to suffocate the possible reasonable and objective reports about China by 「Want-China Times」 for the reason of 「suspicion」, and hence sabotage the reconciliation and mutual understanding between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait.

With this kind of intellectuals and university students, what else can we say but to pray that the plague of war of the America hegemony will never fall upon the treasure island Taiwan.

Subjective can not replace objective rule after all. Taiwan has been at the sea front of China for the last 400 years. We discovered that there is a rule in history, that because of the marine activities of the world, Taiwan had become the target for rivalry between China and foreign powers. Taiwan belonged to China whenever China was strong. Taiwan left China whenever China was weak. When Koxinga(鄭成功) expelled the Dutch, it was China expelling foreign power. When the Treaty of Shimonoseki was signed and China cedes to Japan in perpetuity and full sovereignty of Taiwan, it was foreign power expelling China. After 8 years』 anti-Japanese war and Taiwan was reunited with China, it was China expelling foreign power. When the Korean War started and the seventh fleet of US sailed into Taiwan Strait, two side of the Strait has been separated till today.

Mainland China started to reform and open up in 1979. It has been 30 years and there has been an economic rise which changed the economic structure of the world. And, hence, the foreign reserves of Taiwan derived from the exports to China, Taiwanese businessmen making profits in mainland, and Eng-Meng Tsai became the richest person in Taiwan.

「anti-Want China Times」 is a movement for America monopolizing Taiwan

Intellectuals are supposed ahead of time and leading the tide of history forward, to promote peaceful development between Taiwan Strait and to end the cross-Strait hostility. But 「anti-Want-China Times」 movement is actually facilitating America hegemony to monopolize Taiwan. Their powerless effort of 「anti-China factor」 will be inevitably crushed under the great wheel of history. We would like to wait and see.