The Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau and the New Taipei City Prosecutors’ Office recently uncovered misconduct by Kaohsiung news outlet China VTV Co (中華微視公司). The company is being investigated for allegedly having financial connections with China without the approval of the Ministry of Economic Affairs’ Investment Commission.
China VTV also allegedly conducted an information campaign by creating videos in line with Chinese propaganda and posting them on social media, aiming to foment social division and mistrust in the government, prosecutors said.
This is nothing short of exhilarating, as it means that the government is finally using legal means to stop pro-China “accomplices” that are promoting Chinese propaganda.
RUMOR MILLS
In the run-up to the 2018 nine-in-one elections, pro-China groups launched a series of information campaigns. From Chinese official media outlets, content farms and video makers in Taiwan, to the dissemination of rumors and fake news on the messaging app Line and Facebook.
The groups — in terms of size, approach and labor division — have shown to be organized and meticulous in running their operations.
As there are bound to be reshuffles in administrative agencies such as the Taiwan Affairs Office of China’s State Council in the wake of the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party, China’s information warfare against Taiwan has temporarily died down.
Compared with the 2018 elections, there was a sharp decline in the number of rumors, hoaxes and disinformation spread by pro-China groups ahead of the local elections on Saturday.
However, it can be assumed that the powers and the groups behind these campaigns have only temporarily paused their efforts, and when the Chinese Communist Party has need for them, they would reawaken to do its bidding again.
TIP OF THE ICEBERG
China VTV is only the tip of the iceberg, and Taiwan’s police and investigative forces’ mission to crack down on pro-China groups has a long way to go.
As the public and the government are constantly exposed to China’s soft power through books, magazines, movies, TV dramas, mobile games and apps, it has resulted in the public’s lack of vigilance, and the government’s failure to draw up a national strategy to counter the situation.
As a result, many Taiwanese still believe the disinformation and rumors spread by pro-China groups.
UNDER THE INFLUENCE
Children and young people still play cellphone games — or games with Chinese agents — developed in China, or watch TikTok, the international version of Douyin (抖音). Some use the Pinterest-like app Xiaohongshu (also known as Little Red Book) as a cosmetics and fashion guide.
Older people are also vulnerable to disinformation by Chinese content farms, where they turn into “voluntary” accomplices in spreading disinformation to their peers.
RESIST
The public should stiffen the sinews, and start by refusing to share or click on information provided by Chinese content creators. The government should formulate a solid policy to counter China’s subtle influence, with the goal to set down cornerstones for further legislation and amendments to prevent Chinese propaganda from entering Taiwan.
Roger Wu works in the service industry in New Taipei City.
Translated by Rita Wang
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