Taiwanese TV Station Denies Political Interference in Reporting

Taiwanese legislator Wang Hung-wei has accused the China Television System (CTS) of succumbing to political pressure, alleging that the newsroom has been instructed to steer clear of public criticism regarding the Han Kuang military exercise and to limit reporting on certain aspects of Chen Hsing-yu's affairs.

Wang revealed that she received a complaint from a CTS employee, who claimed that news editors had directed journalists to avoid airing public grievances about the Han Kuang exercise. The complaint also suggested that reporting on Chen Hsing-yu should omit details about her husband's alleged misconduct and her son's injuries. Wang questioned whether these directives originated from station management, specifically naming an editor and the station director.

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The TV station's management may be trying to protect their positions by catering to the government.

Citing the whistleblower, Wang suggested that CTS management might be prioritizing their positions by appeasing the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government. She drew parallels to past criticisms of CTS, referencing a 2022 parliamentary inquiry into alleged "complete Sanli-ization" of the station, implying a pattern of political influence over its news coverage.

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Regarding external questions about the handling of news related to Chen Hsing-yu and the Han Kuang exercise, the relevant information from station management is based on journalistic professionalism, reminding colleagues to avoid reporting that excessively involves personal privacy or devolves into gossip, in order to implement journalistic self-regulation.

In its response, CTS denied any intention to favor any political party. The station asserted that its editorial guidance was rooted in journalistic professionalism, aiming to prevent excessive focus on personal privacy and sensationalism. CTS stated that its approach to major public issues emphasizes rigorous verification and avoids presenting isolated online comments as the station's official stance.

CTS has committed to submitting the matter to an external, expert-led journalistic ethics committee for review. The station expressed its willingness to introspect and make necessary adjustments based on the committee's findings, emphasizing its commitment to journalistic self-regulation.

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In the face of major public issues, we hope that news production adheres to the principle of rigorous verification and should not directly represent the station's position with isolated online remarks that have not been verified. This is a normal professional gatekeeping, not an intentional effort to please any political force or individual.