Press Release
Government Information Office
March 11, 2008

International Media Center
open for service March 18

The Government Information Office’s International Media Center will be open for use by foreign journalists covering Taiwan’s March 22, 2008 presidential election starting at 9 a.m. on March 18. Thereafter, members of the media whose online applications for press credentials have been approved can register at the center and pick up their credentials, allowing them to enjoy fee-free use of the center’s facilities.

In addition, the Media Center will issue to accredited media professionals press passes that will allow them to enter the Central Election Commission’s ballot-counting center. A maximum of two passes per media organization will be available beginning at 9 a.m. on March 21.

The center has organized a number of activities, including visits to the National Palace Museum, Centers for Disease Control, and Chang Gung Health and Culture Village. In addition, it will sponsor a press conference with Minister Chen Ming-tong of the Mainland Affairs Council and hold two English-language briefings for foreign journalists, one on the presidential election, the other on national security. Details on these events will be available at the International Media Center website (http://www.gio.gov.tw/elect2008) starting March 10.

From March 15, information on pre-election activities to be held by the Democratic Progressive Party and the Kuomintang will be posted on the center’s website the day before, or on the morning of, the event.