Taiwanese Culture Ministry's Media Budget Eliminated for Second Year, Minister Cites 'Terrible Plan'

Taiwan's Ministry of Culture faces a significant budget cut for the second year in a row, with its media promotion funds entirely eliminated. The Legislative Yuan's approval of the central government's budget saw NT$47.38 million for the ministry's media promotion slashed, along with NT$21.85 million for Public Television Service and NT$200 million for Taiwan Plus.

Minister of Culture Lee Yung voiced his dismay, stating that the repeated elimination of media promotion funds felt like a "terrible plan" by the opposition parties. He drew a parallel to the saying, "To destroy a nation, first destroy its history; to destroy a people, first destroy its culture; to silence it, first cut its media promotion funds." Lee warned that these cuts would result in a loss of Taiwan's international voice and harm local cultural workers and groups.

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To destroy a nation, first destroy its history; to destroy a people, first destroy its culture; to silence it, first cut its media promotion funds.

Echoing the minister's concerns, Democratic Progressive Party legislator Wu Ssu-yao accused the ruling parties of acting as "cultural executioners" in collaboration with China. She argued that the cuts aim to cripple public television, silence Taiwan's cultural influence on the global stage, and eliminate the international voice provided by Taiwan Plus, leaving only China's narrative. The reduction in funding for the Council for Cultural and Creative Industries was also criticized, potentially cutting off support for Taiwanese cultural teams in arts, publishing, and film.

Lee noted that the Ministry of Culture's budget constitutes less than 1% of the total government budget, questioning why it has been repeatedly targeted. He believes the cuts are part of a coordinated effort to undermine Taiwan's cultural output and international standing.

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The ruling parties are acting as cultural executioners in collaboration with China, aiming to cripple public television, silence Taiwan's cultural influence, and leave only China's narrative.