Former president Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) announced yesterday that he will host a show on a local cable TV news provider’s YouTube channel, in a move that is likely to stir debate over the conditions of his medical parole.
In a Facebook post, Chen said his interview-based program, which will feature “unprecedented in-depth discussions,” is scheduled to premiere on the YouTube channel operated by Mirror TV at 10 am tomorrow.
Chen was granted medical parole on Jan. 5, 2015, after serving over six years of a 20-year sentence, a consolidated term stemming from multiple corruption-related convictions involving actions during his two terms as president from 2000-2008.
Photo: Screen grab from YouTube
Commenting on the announcement, Huang Wen-che (黃文哲), secretary-general of the National Communications Commission (NCC), said the Internet falls outside the agency’s regulatory remit, so such a move does not violate related laws.
Mirror TV requested a change to its operating plan to include political programming, but the NCC -- currently operating with only three of its seven seats filled -- has been unable to review the case due to the lack of a quorum for a meeting, Huang said.
The NCC currently has only three commissioners after four others completed their terms on July 31, 2024. Although the government has put forward four new nominees, the opposition-controlled Legislature voted down their appointments last November.
The Taichung Prison said yesterday that it has issued an official letter warning Chen to strictly abide by the regulations governing medical parole, one of which involves not being engaging in political activities. Prior to being granted parole, Chen received treatment at a hospital affiliated with the prison.
The prison will continue to monitor the situation and handle the matter in accordance with the law, it said.
According to Huang, whether a prisoner on medical parole is allowed to host a show or appear in public is a matter for the Ministry of Justice to determine, as it falls solely within their purview. The ministry had not commented as of press time.
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