Hualien police accused of manipulating online opinion after protest

Hualien police are facing accusations of attempting to manipulate public discourse online following a protest involving Indigenous youth and legislator Fu Kun-chi. A whistleblower revealed that the Hualien Police Precinct allegedly established an internal online group to steer public opinion. The group reportedly provided officers with over 50 pre-written comment templates and even AI-generated images. These materials were intended for officers to post on social media platforms, aiming to shape the narrative surrounding the protest. Some of the provided comments supported strong police action, framing it as necessary for public safety, while others dismissed online support for the Indigenous youth as the work of "demons and ghosts."

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Partners, please spread the voice of justice forcefully! Don't be led astray by demons and ghosts.

The alleged operation drew comparisons to a controversy involving YouTuber Chris Wang, who was accused of creating a fan group to attack critics. The Hualien police group was reportedly created on a Tuesday afternoon and invited officers to join. However, within an hour, concerns were raised about the impropriety of police acting as online "trolls." The group was subsequently and urgently shut down, though screenshots of the content had already been preserved and circulated.

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It is right to arrest someone with a mask and a knife in public! Be fortunate you were born in Taiwan and not killed on the spot.

In response, the Hualien Police Precinct stated that the group was created to comfort officers and reaffirm their commitment to lawful enforcement, especially after encountering what they described as irrational online criticism and offensive language following the protest. They claimed the intention was to stabilize officers' emotions and convey that the police's stance on upholding public safety through legal means remained unchanged. The precinct added that after internal discussions, it was decided that official statements should come from the police bureau, leading to the group's dissolution. Senior officers reportedly spoke directly with junior officers to address their emotions and reinforce their commitment to their duties.

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Public safety should not be gambled with. Police would rather spend a few extra minutes verifying than let anyone risk getting hurt.