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Mon, Jan 07, 2002 - Page 3 News List

Battle for free speech lies behind Chang's angst

CONTROVERSIAL REMARKS DPP legislative whip Chang Chun-hung slammed the media on Saturday for abusing free speech, criticism some say comes from Chang's own background as a trailblazer for democracy and press freedom

By Ko Shu-ling  /  STAFF REPORTER

"He [Chang] has inspired me to be a politician," Lee said. "I started to read his books and Taiwan Politics when I was in high school."

Lee said that Chang has a legitimate reason to feel disappointed with today's media.

"As a journalist during the White Terror era, he had to pay a high price for press freedom. Media nowadays, however, tread on the press freedoms strenuously fought for by their forerunners."

Lee described Chang as a "discontented intellectual" and the "role model of all intellectuals of the 1970s."

Another DPP legislator, Chen Zau-nan (陳昭南), said that he could empathize with Chang.

"During the KMT-ruling era, the media saw a suspect as a culprit and a culprit as a convict. The situation has improved little although the DPP has come to power," Chen said.

Chang's emotional appeal deserves the attention of both the media and the public, Chen said.

Chen, who has been Chang's friend and colleague with Chang for over a decade, described Chang as a "thinker" and a "straightforward individual."

"He dares to speak out and cares little about the consequences," he said. "Unlike some party members who prefer drastic measures, Chang worships moderation and peace."

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