Culture Minister slams 'terrible plan' after media budget slashed

Taiwan's Minister of Culture, Lee Yung, has strongly criticized the complete elimination of the ministry's media promotion budget, describing it as part of a "terrible plan" by the Kuomintang (KMT) and Taiwan People's Party (TPP) to "destroy culture."

The legislative branch recently passed the central government's budget for 2026, which included the complete deletion of the Ministry of Culture's NT$47.38 million media promotion fund. Additionally, Public Television Service (PTS) saw its budget reduced by NT$21.85 million and had NT$200 million frozen, while Taiwan Plus also faced a NT$200 million cut.

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To destroy a people, first destroy its culture; to silence them, first cut their media promotion funds.

Minister Lee expressed his dismay, stating he initially couldn't understand why the Ministry of Culture's budget had been consistently targeted. He cited the proverb, "To destroy a nation, first destroy its history; to destroy a people, first destroy its culture; to silence them, first cut their media promotion funds." Lee argued that the cuts were not for "internal propaganda" as claimed, but affected all ministry activities.

He further highlighted the impact on public media, noting that PTS, already operating with limited funds, relies on ministry subsidies. The cuts to Taiwan Plus and the Cultural and Creative Industries Promotion Agency (Wen策院), which had its budget reduced by NT$100 million, will disrupt signed contracts for international exhibitions and projects in film, television, comics, and literature. Lee also defended his special fund, stating it was used for public purposes like red envelopes for model workers and celebratory events, not personal expenses.

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The KMT and TPP have a terrible plan.