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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

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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

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.

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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.

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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
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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