GIO denies ordering the postponement of Lien's interview

The Government Information Office yesterday flatly denied a KMT claim that China Television Company's (CTV) interview with KMT Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) was put on hold at their request.

"It's obviously a case of `green terror,'" said KMT spokesman Wang Chih-kang (王志剛) yesterday morning after Chan's interview -- originally scheduled to be broadcast last night -- was postponed.

Green terror is a KMT buzzword meaning intimidation by the DPP, derived from White Terror, the local name for the KMT's 40-year period of bloody dictatorship.

Wang said that the government should not impose censorship on news programs as it was a violation of freedom of speech.

Another party spokesman, Justin Chou (周守訓), also had harsh words for the DPP government, calling it an "undemocratic and authoritarian ruler."

In response, the GIO released a written statement yesterday morning denying any involvement in delaying the broadcast of the interview.

The statement also urged "KMT-affiliated media not make up their own news or abuse the power of the media for the benefit of an individual party's election benefits."

GIO Director-General Su Tzen-ping (蘇正平) held a press conference late yesterday afternoon to clarify the situation.

"I'm the only politically appointed official in the GIO and I did not give any order [to stop the broadcast]. Other colleagues have also strictly abided by the law," Su told reporters, adding that it was the GIO's responsibility to respond to inquiries about the legality of news programming during elections.

Su added that the GIO does not have the final say on whether the interview is in violation of the law. A review must first be made by the Central Election Commission.

However, the deputy manager of CTV's news department, David Cheng (鄭大智), yesterday said that the decision to delay the airing of the interview was made at the last minute yesterday afternoon. He said his news team was extremely annoyed by what he called "the GIO's pressure and official tone."

Cheng said that before the taping, high-ranking CTV officials asked the GIO about the show's legality, to which the GIO responded "it's within your own discretion."

But after news about Lien wiping tears from his eyes during the interview made headlines on Wednesday, Cheng said he immediately got calls from GIO official Chi Yu-jon (齊友強). He expressed concern over the timing of the broadcast and reminded Cheng of the GIO's legal responsibilities.

"First, there was this strange call to remind me of the interview's complexities. Then comes the government spokesman's inappropriate remarks. We felt constrained," Cheng said, adding that the GIO has tried to keep the issue low profile.

He said the interview would be aired sometime next week after the controversy was resolved.