Vice President Annette Lu (
"The VCD series were not produced by the government or any political parties," she said. "Those who participate in evening talk shows on TV seem to feel that their opinions represent mainstream public opinion."
"It looks like many are displeased with the media's hegemony and are launching a drastic counterattack," Lu said at a press conference to publicize International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, which is observed each year on Nov. 25.
"I hoped that the people would realize that it is a problem of media environment, not a political issue," she said.
She also appealed to the public to stop hurting one another by escalating the political and legal conflicts stemming from the VCDs.
Lu said that she would not make any wild guess in political perspective but would like to review the entire event on the base of human rights as well as legal angles.
The VCD series makes fun of pan-blue politicians as well as some talk-show hosts, such as Clara Chou (周玉蔻), Independent Legislator Sisy Chen (陳文茜) and former DPP National Assembly representative Cheng Li-wen (鄭麗文)
Lu declined to comment when asked whether reports implying that Chen and Cheng have had close relationships with senior male politicians violated the women's rights.
She said people who do not like to be criticized should "not do to others what they don't want done to themselves."
"Whoever has the power of speech should reflect on what they have done to the others," Lu said. "One will feel how painful and unbearable it is, when he or she becomes a victim."
"It is ironic that people have to express their opinions in such an abnormal way, since we now enjoy 100 percent freedom of speech," she said.
Lu said that everybody should be responsible for their own speech and that those who control the media should take responsibility for their reports, not the government.
She also spoke about domestic violence at the press conference, saying it was more harmful to the women of Taiwan than SARS.
"According to the data from the Ministry of the Interior, there are eight cases of sexual violence and nearly 100 cases of domestic violence against women every day," Lu said. "We should teach all the women in this country how to protect themselves and where they can go to seek assistance."
Lu said she worried that society was spending too many resources on election campaigns and political struggles and too little attention is paid to issues such as the rising suicide rate, working women's rights and domestic violence.
"The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women reminds us that so many women still face violence and are struggling in a dark corner," Lu said.
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