Taiwan’s culture minister, Hung Meng-chi, came under fire at the legislature on Monday over the government’s approach to China-based OTT content providers.
OTT, or over-the-top platforms like Netflix, are beginning to offer digital content in Taiwan. Companies like Netflix, which have set up offices here, are regulated by local laws. However, some lawmakers have raised concerns about other similar companies, like the China-based iQIYI, which offers content to Taiwan users, but has not set up a local office.
Several Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) lawmakers raised their concerns in the legislature’s Education and Culture Committee on Monday. They said that the current laws do not offer protection to Taiwanese users who use offshore services.
One legislator, Ho Hsin-chun said another concern is that China has tight restrictions on the content that Chinese websites provide. She said the result is a lack of freedom and diversity in content.
Culture Minister Hung Meng-chi responded by saying that his ministry is already working with the Cabinet and other government agencies on five draft bills dealing with digital media.
“When it comes to OTT providers based overseas, there are indeed some legal loopholes. […] We have been coordinating with other ministries and with the Cabinet. We will move quickly to address concerns about this specific problem, and address it in the five digital media draft bills,” said Hung.
Another DPP lawmaker, Cheng Li-chiun, called on the culture ministry to actively negotiate Taiwan OTT content providers’ entrance into the Chinese market. She also called for policies to help the local OTT market, and provide assistance to local operators.