Sun, Jan 28, 2024 page8

• Sensation-seeking talk shows a low point

  • By Chen Chi-nung 陳啟濃
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  An online talk show produced by STR Network, named The Night Night Show with Hello (賀瓏夜夜秀), invited Chinese investigative journalist Wang Zhian (王志安), who is now living in Tokyo after being blacklisted by Beijing, to discuss Taiwan’s election. Wang said that the election was nothing but a spectacle, and the ruling party used disabled people as a tool to win more votes.

  He even mimicked Chen Chun-han (陳俊翰), a DPP legislator-at-large candidate and human rights lawyer who has spinal muscular atrophy. Having caused an uproar, Wang initially refused to apologize.

  The controversy can be discussed from two aspects: the nature of The Night Night Show with Hello, and the nature of Wang Zhian.

  The Night Night Show with Hello has become quite popular due to its racy content and the ways that it talks about politics with sarcasm. The show caters to younger viewers. Each episode is rather short and as a result, the issues discussed on the show cannot be explored in depth. Lacking a significant idea and profound values, the content of The Night Night Show with Hello somewhat resembles short-form videos on TikTok. Additionally, given that it discusses political issues and politicians in a carefully designed manner, the show is sensationalist in the extreme.

  I used to enjoy an online show produced by Chen Tzu-chien (陳子見), also known as “Retina” (視網膜). At that time, I believed that Chen was a thoughtful young man capable of challenging the constitutional system and perceived reality. Through his show, he defended Taiwan’s democratic system while opposing the authoritarianism of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Although Chen did not mention these ideological values explicitly, the audience could still catch on his ideas organically.

  The Night Night Show with Hello is not entirely an entertainment program, nor is it a political talk show. It is simultaneously entertainment and political, and the reason that it tries to be both is to make more profit. In this sense, the show is similar to the Taiwan People’s Party (TPP), which attempts to obtain as much benefit as possible under the banner of social justice. The TPP aims to gain more political advantages, whereas the show satisfies its audience by denigrating a certain event or person. Their objective is the same: maximizing profit.

  After the show ends, the issues discussed by the show’s guests are left to the public. Nothing has been resolved. Sometimes, as in Wang’s case, the show would damage Taiwan’s democracy.

  Inviting Wang as a guest to talk about Taiwan’s election is an act that exploits Taiwanese society. It reminds us of how the CCP would criticize Taiwan’s democracy by publicizing the merits of an authoritarian system. The CCP has ordered a number of “defectors” and “betrayers” to live in democratic countries. They are arranged there to criticize democratic systems, and their presence has become one of several toxic elements that might lead to the disintegration of democratic solidarity.

  Wang’s appearance on the show was unexpected. His remarks and behavior were shocking as he displayed his contempt for Taiwan’s democracy. Through Wang, the CCP has successfully intervened in Taiwan’s online talk shows. While The Night Night Show with Hello is pathetic, Taiwanese should be aware of the CCP’s moves and concerned about Taiwan’s democratic future.

  The production team of the show must be aware of what they can do. If the show is produced entirely on a profit-making basis without offering any meaningful content, it could eventually lose its audience.

  Chen Chi-nung is principal of a junior high school.

  Translated by Emma Liu
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