The Origin of the "Party, Government, and Military Out of Media" Movement: Formosa TV's Yang Hsien-hung Demotion

In September 1997, Formosa TV (FTV) experienced severe internal personnel conflicts. News Department Manager Yang Hsien-hung was demoted without warning. The primary cause pointed to FTV's founder and chairman, Chai Trong-rong, who, utilizing his status as a DPP legislator, strongly interfered with press freedom and personnel arrangements. This incident shocked Taiwanese society, revealing that the supposedly "civilian" FTV had become a political tool, and it served as the key catalyst for the subsequent movement demanding that political parties, the government, and the military exit the media.