Taiwan youth questioned over anti-drug video, opposition leader cries 'suppression of free speech'

Eric Chu, former chairman of Taiwan's Kuomintang (KMT) party, has strongly condemned police action against a youth who created an anti-drug video, labeling it an act of suppressing free speech. The incident occurred as the KMT held a large rally in Taipei.

Chu revealed that police approached Wei Chun-yu, former director of the KMT's youth department, questioning him about a video titled "You Can't Afford Oil" (油不得你). Police reportedly demanded the video be taken down and even considered detaining Wei. Chu denounced this as an anti-democratic move and pledged full support for Wei.

Responding to the accusations, the Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) stated that they were legally investigating a complaint. CIB's Third Investigation Corps Captain Tai Chang-sheng explained that the "You Can't Afford Oil" video allegedly used artificial intelligence deepfake technology to synthesize the president's voice. The investigation aims to clarify facts, preserve evidence, and understand the video's production process, emphasizing that there was no coercion to remove the video or restrict personal freedom.

Chu argued that if the video had legal issues, the government should explain them publicly. He criticized the use of police power to silence young people's creativity and criticism simply because their views differ from the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). "This is not the attitude of a democratic government and is a serious violation of freedom of speech!" Chu declared. He urged President Lai Ching-te not to ignore public sentiment and underestimate the determination of the younger generation to protect democracy, warning that suppression only fuels greater dissent and amplifies the voice of democracy.

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This is not the attitude of a democratic government and is a serious violation of freedom of speech!