‘SWORD OF STATE’: Legislators criticized the NCC for never using a 2016 law to punish broadcasters that air false information on the basis of protecting freedom of speech
By Shelley Shan  /  Staff reporter

Taipei Times
Date: Oct 05, 2018
By: Shelley Shan  /  Staff reporter 

The Legislative Yuan’s Transportation Committee yesterday criticized the National

Communications Commission (NCC) for not enforcing regulations to curb the spread of fake news.

The issue became prominent following the suicide of Su Chii-cherng (蘇啟誠), director-general of the Osaka branch of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, after the branch was criticized for its perceived lack of assistance for Taiwanese who were affected by Typhoon Jebi.

Article 27 of the Satellite Broadcasting Act (衛星廣播電視法) states that news and commentary on broadcast media should verify facts, ensure fairness and not damage the public interest, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Cheng Pao-ching (鄭寶清) said.

Broadcasters that contravene the regulation would face a fine of NT$200,000 to NT$2 million (US$6,495 to US$64,952), Cheng said, adding that broadcasts of its advertisements and programs could also be suspended.    [FULL  STORY]

Radio Taiwan International
Date: 2018-10-04

Pope Francis on Tuesday sent a congratulatory message to President Tsai Ing-wen for

Taiwan’s National Day. The National Day of the Republic of China is celebrated on October 10.

The foreign ministry on Thursday said the pope has conveyed that he will pray for continued peace, justice and unity for the people of Taiwan.

Foreign ministry official Chen Hsin-hsin said that Taiwan and the Vatican have a long lasting and steady relationship.

“There have been many exchanges between high level officials on both sides for many years. Vice President Chen Chien-jen will be attending the canonization of Pope Paul VI to express our sincerity and to further our interaction and friendship with the Holy See,” said Chen.

Meanwhile, deputy foreign minister of the Vatican, Antoine Camilleri was at the National Day celebration held at Taiwan’s embassy in Vatican City on Tuesday. He confirmed the good relations between the two sides that have been maintained for 76 years.
[FULL  STORY]

Here’s what to do the moment your company tries to fire you.

The News Lens
Date: 2018/10/04
By: Chou Hai-wei, a Taipei-based legal consultant

What should you do once you learn you’ve been fired? I have received plenty of these cases recently – and have noticed that those who come to me for advice only ask questions after they lose their jobs. Few people think ahead and prepare for that worst-case scenario of being laid off. This article will help you do that.

I am going to talk about what one should do before, and after, one is fired. Let’s say one is told they will be laid off – then, one week later, told they will be fired. Although courts and governing authorities significantly protect laborers, the expenses and time involved in fighting a case in court are unbearably prohibitive. Unless there is absolutely no alternative, I do not recommend taking your case to court.    [FULL  STORY]

Link between death of model and chief suspect not established: court

Taiwan News
Date: 2018/10/04
By: Matthew Strong, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The Supreme Court on Thursday rejected a 10-year prison sentence for the man thought responsible for the death of a young woman after a drug party at Taipei City’s W Hotel in December 2016.

The court ruled that the cause of death of the 21-year-old model, surnamed Kuo (郭), had not been sufficiently investigated, the Apple Daily reported.

As a result, the chief suspect, Andy Chu (朱家龍), and two other men, surnamed Tsai (蔡) and Hung (洪), would see their part of the case retried by the Taiwan High Court. However, two accused drug dealers, named Chiang (江) and Chang (張), would have to serve their High Court sentences of nine years and six years and six months respectively.

The Supreme Court ruled that it was impossible to tell whether the drugs Kuo used had come from Chu, and said that allegations of a possible link between the woman’s death and a previous health condition had not been sufficiently investigated.    [FULL  STORY]

Radio Taiwan International
Date: 2018-10-03

A staff member at the Taipei Zoo is recovering after an unusual attack from one of his

charges left him injured Tuesday. His injury is the first of its kind in the zoo’s history.

Getting up close to dangerous animals is one part of a zookeeper’s job. But at the Taipei Zoo, the camels had never been a particular threat.

That was, at least, until Tuesday, when a male dromedary camel bit a zookeeper on the neck during feeding time. The camel stuck its neck through a gap in a fence while the keeper was bent over on the other side with his back to the animal.    [FULL  STORY]

Two researchers appraise transitional justice through the lens of China’s Tiananmen Square Massacre and Taiwan’s 228 Incident.

The News Lens
Date: 2018/10/03
By: By Li Wei

This is an edited version of an excerpt of an article written for “An evening for Li Ming Che: How to face political massacres and scars: China’s June 4 and Taiwan’s 228” jointly held by the Youth Synergy Taiwan Foundation, Lee Ming-che (李明哲) rescue team, Fri.Philo, and the New school for Democracy on April 19.

The evening started with a comparison between the Tiananmen Square Massacre and Taiwan’s White Terror incidents, and developed into an in-depth discussion covering national violence and transitional justice.

For those in need of background on either event, a handy primer on the 228 Incident is available hereand a podcast interview with Wu’er Kaixi, one of the main student leaders during the Tiananmen Square protests and later one of China’s most wanted men, can be heard here.   [FULL  STORY]

28 arrested at an alleged sex party held under the guise of a ‘birthday party’ at a love hotel in Taipei’s Zhongshan District 

Taiwan News
Date: 2018/10/03
By: Keoni Everington, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Police on Sunday (Sept. 30) arrested 28 people for participating in a sex party that was held under the guise of a birthday celebration at a “love hotel” in Taipei’s Zhongshan District.

A 34-year-old stock broker surnamed Chang (張), his 20-year-old girlfriend and college student surnamed Hung (洪), and a 39-year-old woman surnamed Huang (黃) created a LINE group called “Lots of People in the Room” (房間很多人), where, along with the “Sex” thread on the popular bulletin board PTT, they began posting announcements of sex parties, reported Liberty Times. Police began to monitor these announcements, and observed that there was a major gathering planned for Sunday dubbed the “Super Excellent College Girl’s Birthday Party.”

On Sunday at 2 p.m., police busted what they called a 28-person “birthday orgy” at the Wego Boutique Hotel (薇閣精品旅館) in the Dazhi in Taipei’s Zhongshan District, arresting 9 women and 19 men and seizing 18 used condoms, 298 unused condoms, and sex-oriented lubricants. After taking the suspects in for questioning, Chang said that he held the gathering to give his girlfriend a “20th birthday she would never forget,” reported Apple Daily.

Chang confessed that he had organized many sex parties before and that his girlfriend often participated. This time around was “my girlfriend’s 20th birthday present,” according to Apple Daily. He added that he found it very exciting to watch his girlfriend have sex with other people.     [FULL  STORY]

‘DIPLOMATIC BREAKTHROUGH’: The mission aims to promote exchanges in tourism and education, as well as the US state’s agricultural blockchain and ‘clean coal’ tech

Taipei Times
Date: Oct 04, 2018
By Stacy Hsu  /  Staff reporter

Wyoming Governor Matt Mead yesterday oversaw the opening of a Wyoming trade office

in Taipei designed to facilitate bilateral exchanges in technology, tourism and education, marking the launch of the first foreign mission office in Taiwan since 2008.

Mead, who is visiting Taiwan for the third time, told a news conference at the Sherwood Taipei (台北西華飯店) that the idea to set up the US state’s first overseas trade office in 30 years in Taiwan started to take shape after his first visit five years ago.

Mead said he chose Taiwan because of its democratic achievements, as well as the warmth and hospitality of its people.

“But we also see the marvel that is Taiwan. The technology development this country has had has been nothing short of amazing. When we think about technology that we use, for example, in the US, we know so many of the components and inventions come from Taiwan and Taiwan people,” Mead said.    [FULL  STORY]

Focus Taiwan
Date: 2018/10/03
By: Shih Hsiu-chuan 

Taipei, Oct. 3 (CNA) Morris Chang (張忠謀), founder of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), will serve as Taiwan’s representative to this year’s Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders’ summit in Papua New Guinea in November, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) announced Wednesday.

Chang is the best choice to represent Taiwan at the summit, the theme of which is “Harnessing Inclusive Opportunities, Embracing the Digital Future,” Tsai said when she introduced Chang as her special envoy at a press conference.

Chang had been widely expected to be Taiwan’s representative to the forum, but Tsai’s announcement was the first time his appointment was officially confirmed.

Despite being a full member of the 21-member inter-governmental forum since 1991, Taiwan’s presidents are traditionally prohibited from attending the leaders’ summit due to China’s opposition and have to instead name a proxy in their places.    [FULL  STORY]

Radio Taiwan International
Date: 2018-10-02

Vice President Chen Chien-jen will travel to the Vatican for the canonization of Pope Paul

VI on October 14.

Chen previously attended the canonization of Mother Teresa in 2016.

Taiwan and the Vatican have had diplomatic relations for 76 years. The Holy See is Taiwan’s only diplomatic ally in Europe. Recently, Taiwan’s ties with the Vatican have been under the spotlight with the signing of an agreement between the Vatican and China on the appointment of bishops. Taipei had been concerned that rapprochement between Beijing and the Holy See might result in a break in relations.

Pope Paul VI reigned from 1963 to his death in 1978. During his time as pontiff, he oversaw the conclusion of the Second Vatican Council in 1965.    [FULL  STORY]