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UFO chairman hits back at Chen with countersuit

The Presidential Office expressed regret that UFO Radio chairman Jaw Shaw-kong (趙少康) has filed a "frivolous" lawsuit against President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and Presidential Office Secretary-General Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌).

Jaw's countersuit came on the heels of a suit filed by Chen against him and two legislators who cited remarks Jaw made during his program which claimed Chen offered US$1 million to former Panamanian president Mireya Moscoso as a birthday present, allegedly to cover up unwanted sexual advances.

Deputy Secretary-General of the Presidential Office James Huang (黃志芳) yesterday said that Jaw, despite being a veteran media figure, had not worked to verify the facts, but quoted unfounded information found on a Chinese Web site. This "caused social instability and severely defamed the national head's reputation and dignity, as well as undermined the nation's diplomatic ties with an ally."

Jaw said in his lawsuit that he obtained the information from a Web site he had found using the Google.com Internet search engine.

"It is regrettable that Jaw, rather than first considering his actions, resorted to the use of legal action and smear tactics," Huang said while urging individuals not to promote personal political gains at the expense of a head of state's dignity and the nation's diplomatic interests.

Noting that the matter was now in the hands of the judiciary, Huang said the Presidential Office would not comment further on the issue but await the court's verdict.

However, Su described Jaw as a "disgrace" and an "unscrupulous media man." During a recent visit to a Chinese calligraphy show, Chen insinuated that Jaw was a "mean person" when asked about his feelings in filing the suit.

Jaw said that freedom of speech, from which a free press is derived, is a basic right and the nation should give it the utmost protection.

As a member of the media, he was only quoting news, and has done nothing improper or illegal, Jaw said.

Huang said that Jaw has been in the media long enough to understand the standards of journalism, yet he did not follow the basic tenet of verifying a information before reporting.

Huang said that Chen, to retain his dignity as a national leader, was forced to file a slander suit against Jaw last week. Moscoso would also support Chen's side by providing a written statement under oath to refute Jaw's allegations.

Huang said that the matter is now entering the judicial process and the Presidential Office will respect the ruling of the court.

He also noted that Su said he "was chilled to bone" to hear that a senior media figure had reported "news" without proper verification.
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