The US' Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said Monday it remains concerned about the Taiwanese government's legal proceedings initiated against Taiwanese journalists who reported on how government officials used secret funds to buy influence and favor abroad.
The "secret funds" were allegedly used for such purposes during the administration of former president Lee Teng-hui from 1988 to 2000.
"We fear that recent actions by your government have undermined Taiwan's legal protection for freedom of speech," wrote Ann Cooper, executive director of the CPJ, in an official response to a letter by Taiwan's President Chen Shui-bian (
In that letter, Chen stated that "the essence of democracy should never be quelled under the pretext of national security, nor should the flag of national security be used as a cover for undermining press freedom. We are resolute and determined in safeguarding the constitutionally sanctioned civil rights of each and every citizen."
However, according to Cooper, an editor at the local daily China Times has been charged with endangering national security based on an article about the secret government funds that ran in the March 20 edition of the newspaper.
On March 26, the day Chen wrote the letter to CPJ, a reporter for the Next magazine was questioned by High Court prosecutors because his article on the secret funds appeared in the weekly's March 21 edition, she added.
"The CPJ strongly urges Your Excellency to ensure that your promise to respect press freedom is reflected in the policies and actions of your administration," she said.
While the CPJ appreciates Taiwan's national security concerns, she continued, "we are not convinced that the articles in Next magazine and the China Times pose a genuine threat to national security."
She added that the CPJ also sees no justification for raiding the offices of Next magazine and attempting to censor the publication.
She asked that a thorough and swift investigation be conducted into the government's actions against Next magazine.
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