Graduate student Lin Ting-an (林庭安) has publicized her exchanges with renowned US linguist and academic Noam Chomsky to rebut claims that the famed social activist had been misled into supporting the movement against media monopolization in Taiwan.
A photograph posted on Facebook on Jan. 5 by a female netizen who identified herself as Lao Tzu-hung (劉子鳳) showed the 84-year-old Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor posing with a poster that read: “Anti-Media Monopoly. Say no to China’s black hands, defend press freedom. I am safeguarding Taiwan here in MIT.”
The photograph triggered a fervent response among netizens, with some expressing gratitude for his support.
Photo: Liu Li-jen, Taipei Times
The Chinese-language China Times — owned by Want Want China Times Group, which is part of the consortium that bought Next Media Group’s four Taiwanese media outlets — on Tuesday quoted Liu Shih Diing (劉世鼎), a University of Macau associate communications professor, as saying Chomsky had been tricked by Taiwanese students into holding the sign. Liu was quoted as saying Chomsky did not understand the sign.
Lin responded on Tuesday by publicizing her correspondence with Chomsky on Dec. 26 last year, in which Lin explained the reasons for the movement against media monopolization.
“There is now an activity that urges global supporters to photograph themselves, holding the slogan ‘Oppose Media Monopoly, Reject the black hand of China, uphold freedom of the press, I protect Taiwan in _____,’ and upload it online,” the e-mail read.
In the e-mail Lin asked permission to visit Chomsky on Jan. 7 when she would be visiting MIT.
She said Chomsky replied to her e-mail by saying: “Glad to hear about what you are doing. An important struggle.”
Lin, who is studying at the Institute of Philosophy of Mind and Cognition at National Yang Ming University in Taipei, said that when she met Chomsky at MIT, he asked her to explain the situation again and she did.
Lin said she was certain Chomsky had a good understanding of the students’ campaign.
The Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association has cautioned Japanese travelers to be vigilant against pickpockets at several popular tourist spots in Taiwan, including Taipei’s night markets, the Yongkang Street area, Zhongshan MRT Station, and Jiufen (九份) in New Taipei City. The advisory, titled “Recent Development of Concerns,” was posted on the association’s Web site under its safety and emergency report section. It urges travelers to keep backpacks fully zipped and carried in front, with valuables placed at the bottom of the bag. Visitors are advised to be especially mindful of their belongings when taking photos or speaking on the phone, avoid storing wallets and
ENDORSING TAIWAN: Honduran presidential candidate Nasry Afura said that Honduras was ‘100 times better off’ when it was allied with Taipei The Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday said it would explore the possibility of restoring diplomatic relations with Honduras based on the principle of maintaining national interests and dignity. The ministry made the remarks in response to reporters’ questions regarding an article titled: “Will Taiwan Regain a Diplomatic Ally?” published in The Diplomat on Saturday. The article said Honduras’ presidential election in November could offer Taiwan the chance to regain an ally, as multiple candidates have promoted re-establishing diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Honduras severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan in March 2023 in favor of Beijing, but since switching its diplomatic recognition,
Scoot announced yesterday that starting in October, it would increase flights between Taipei and Japan’s Narita airport and Hokkaido, and between Singapore and Taipei. The low-cost airline, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, also said it would launch flights to Chiang Rai in Thailand, Okinawa and Tokyo’s Haneda airport between December and March next year. Flights between Singapore and Chiang Rai would begin on Jan. 1, with five flights per week operated by an Embraer E190-E2 aircraft, Scoot said. Flights between Singapore and Okinawa would begin on Dec. 15, with three flights per week operated by Airbus A320 aircraft, the airline said. Services between Singapore
A fourth public debate was held today about restarting the recently decommissioned Ma-anshan Nuclear Power Plant, ahead of a referendum on the controversial issue to be held in less than two weeks. A referendum on Aug. 23 is to ask voters if they agree that “the Ma-anshan Nuclear Power Plant should continue operations upon approval by the competent authority and confirmation that there are no safety concerns.” Anyone over 18 years of age can vote in the referendum. The vote comes just three months after its final reactor shut down, officially making Taiwan nuclear-free. Taiwan People’s Party Chairman Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌) represented
RSS