The official hearing into roaming fee charges for mobile phones
should be broadcast live via television and radio for the public's
benefit, says an article in Beijing News. The following is
an excerpt:
Beijing Consumer's Association in its quest to have mobile
roaming fees dropped made it loud and clear what should come of the
hearing into the issue by the National Development and Reform
Commission and the Ministry of Information Industry - and how the
hearing should be conducted.
It proposed that the hearing be broadcast via television and
radio stations to ensure transparency.
Mobile roaming fees have concerned many consumers. The inquiry
should allow the public to have a clear understanding of and enable
full participation in the decision-making process.
The Beijing Consumer's Association, it seems, has struck a chord
with many mobile phone users because hearings, traditionally, have
been held behind closed doors, with even the names of participants
kept secret. Closed-door hearings go against the purpose of what
hearings are meant to achieve.
A hearing is meant to ensure transparency of government actions
and strengthen the equality of law.
"Openness" can be deemed the symbol of a hearing; and a live
broadcast is undoubtedly the best way to demonstrate that
openness.
A live broadcast of a hearing will ensure the decision made by
the government is more convincing.
It is good for the public to have an all-around knowledge of the
decision-making process to eliminate any doubts in the process, and
ease resisting sentiment from the public.
(China Daily January 10, 2008)