Bring back Peng-Lee show
Peng Wen-cheng (彭文正), a professor at National Taiwan University’s (NTU) School of Journalism, and his wife, Amanda Lee (李晶玉), resigned from hosting Next TV’s political talk show Jeng Chin Talk (正晶限時批) on Monday (“Media activists urge NCC to probe Next TV, Tzu Chi,” March 19, page 1).
This political talk show, which was hosted by Peng and Lee, jumped from ground level to the No. 1 talk show during its short life of 225 days.
The show’s name originates from the couple’s given names, and means “a straight and crystal clear express mail.” Their show was fair and objective. Several leading political commentators — mingzui (名嘴) or “famous mouths” — were invited to each show.
Peng is Hakka Taiwanese, and Lee is a descendant of a former Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) government official. Peng supports independence or unification, whichever most Taiwanese prefer.
When former premier Jiang Yi-huah (江宜樺) wished to go back to NTU as a professor, Peng — in view of Jiang’s brutality in dealing with participants in the Sunflower movement — declared that he would quit his job at the school if Jiang were rehired.
Peng is very sharp and humorous, and occasionally used pertinent catch phrases in the show; while Lee is an intelligent and beautiful cohost.
Next TV should kindly invite Peng and Lee back to host the popular talk show which was named after them.
The Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation, called “the light of Taiwan” (台灣之光) for its relief efforts in Taiwan and many parts of the world, should continue to shine brightly, but also allow a light to be shone on its own organization.
All organizations, including governments, political parties, corporations and religious and relief groups, as well as public figures, should be open-minded and welcome any evaluations and comments about their performance. They should never sue or exert pressure on commentators.
A free and democratic nation cannot survive without free speech and freedom of the press.
Charles Hong
Columbus, Ohio
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