SECURITY THREAT:The ability to spread rumors and mobilize people on a large scale requires an organized entity to coordinate the effort, unnamed sources said
Taipei Times
Date: Jul 23, 2017
By: Lee Hsin-fang and Jake Chung / Staff reporter, with staff writer
The government is planning to establish an Internet site to refute online rumors in light
Minister Without Portfolio Wu Tsung-tsong speaks at a news conference at the Executive Yuan in Taipei on March 21. Photo: Huang Yao-cheng, Taipei Times
of alleged Internet manipulation of government information, sources said yesterday.
The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) recently posted information on its Web site promoting a government policy to reduce burning incense and joss paper at temples, but it was described online as a ban on burning incense and joss paper, which prompted irate templegoers to march in Taipei today.
While the groups agreed to change the event from a protest to a parade following negotiations with the government, President Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) administration has seen the potential damage of online rumors, the sources said.
Each ministry has its own task force to monitor rumors and fake news, Minister Without Portfolio Wu Tsung-tsong (吳政忠) said.
The task forces determine which information is controversial and submit the information for verification with the relevant agency, which issues a press release for clarification if the news is erroneous, Wu said. [FULL STORY]
