Taipei Times
Date: Dec 07, 2018
By Chen Yu-fu and Jake Chung / Staff reporter, with staff writer
A billboard for Wang Ming-li’s New Taipei City councilor campaign is pictured on Nov. 8 in New Taipei City, stating that she was a victim of smear tactics.
Photo: Chiu Shu-yu, Taipei Times
The Ministry of the Interior yesterday approved draft amendments to the Presidential and Vice Presidential Election and Recall Act (總統副總統選舉罷免法) that seek to prevent disinformation and external forces from influencing elections.
If passed by the legislature, the amendments would restrict media companies from disseminating election-related advertisements funded by groups or individuals from overseas, including China, Hong Kong and Macau.
Offenses are punishable either by a fine of NT$200,000 to NT$10 million (US$6,482 to US$324,076) or a fine double the cost of the advertisement, the ministry said.
“Mass media companies airing or carrying advertisements on election campaigns or campaigns to recall a government official should — in addition to current regulations that mandate transparency of the individual placing the advertisement — also make known the individual or group funding the advertisement, as well as other relevant information,” the bill says. [FULL STORY]
