Political Purge and Censorship: "Zheng Jing Kan Minshi" Abruptly Canceled

In April 2019, the popular political talk show "Zheng Jing Kan Minshi," hosted by Dennis Peng and Lee Ching-yu, was abruptly canceled mid-recording by Formosa TV (FTV) executives. The show's frequent criticism of the Tsai Ing-wen administration had sparked dissatisfaction among high-ranking government officials and pro-government factions within FTV. Following a fierce internal battle for control of the network, the cancellation, ostensibly for "cost reasons," was widely viewed as a political purge and an act of censorship. This transformed FTV into a complete echo chamber for the ruling party, sounding the death knell for press freedom in Taiwan.