Taiwanese cable channel CTi accused of pro-Beijing ‘fake news’ awaits licence verdict

Channel’s licence expires in December and its application is going through a final review after the media regulator decided not to renew it

There have been calls to take it off the air because of unverified reports and attacks on government, but critics say that would be a blow for press freedom

Reading Time:3 minutes

People demonstrate outside the National Communications Commission in Taipei as it holds a public hearing on Monday. Critics say taking CTi News off the air will erode freedom of the press in Taiwan. Photo: CNA

Published: 4:00pm, 31 Oct 2020Updated: 10:56pm, 31 Oct 2020

The fate of Taiwanese cable channel CTi News hangs in the balance as the media regulator reviews its licence application amid allegations it is operating as a propaganda machine for Beijing.

There have been growing calls for the channel to be taken off the air because of its pro-Beijing stance and constant criticism of the Tsai Ing-wen government, including unverified news reports.

But critics say shutting down the station would be a blow for press freedom in the self-ruled island.

CTi is owned by Want Want China Times Media Group – founded by mainland-friendly snack food tycoon Tsai Eng-meng – and has applied to renew its six-year broadcast licence that expires on December 11.

The National Communications Commission decided in a 6-3 vote in August not to renew the licence, but the application is now going through a final review, with station management to face questions early next month.

Tsai Eng-meng, chairman of the Want Want China Times Media Group, told a hearing on Monday that he had never meddled in CTi’s editorial direction. Photo: CNA

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