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Taiwan
ChinaPolitics

Taiwan rejects licence renewal for Beijing-friendly tycoon’s news channel

  • CTi is seen as pro-China and the decision marks the first time the regulator has effectively shut down a television news station
  • It cited evidence of editorial interference from major shareholder Tsai Eng-meng

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The regulator’s decision provoked anger from CTi and Taiwan’s main opposition party. Photo: CNS
Reuters
Taiwan refused on Wednesday to renew the licence of a news channel widely seen as pro-China, effectively shutting it down, citing evidence of interference from a Beijing-friendly tycoon amid fears over China’s campaign to win support on the island.

The rejection of CTi cable’s request is the first time Taiwan has shut, even though indirectly, a television news station since the regulator, the National Communications Commission, was set up in 2006.

The decision provoked immediate anger from CTi and Taiwan’s main opposition party, which called it an attack on media freedom.

Taiwan’s government has repeatedly said mainland China has stepped up efforts, including a media campaign, to infiltrate and gain influence on the democratic island, which Beijing considers its own and has threatened to use force to bring under its control.

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Commission head Chen Yaw-shyang said the rejection decision was unanimous and cited accusations of interference in CTi’s editorial independence by major shareholder Tsai Eng-meng, who runs one of China’s largest food firms, Want Want China Holdings.

“It is a fact that their biggest shareholder had directly interfered in the news desk of CTi,” Chen said.

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