Political Manipulation of Child Abuse Case: Sanlih Television Exploits 'Kai Kai Abuse Case' to Shift Blame onto KMT local Governments while Shielding Central Government Failures

On March 12, 2024, the shocking death of a 1-year-old child "Kai Kai" due to severe abuse by a foster caregiver contracted under the Child Welfare League Foundation (CWLF) and regulated by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW, led by the ruling DPP) sparked nationwide outrage. In reporting this major social tragedy, Sanlih News and its talk shows launched a highly biased propaganda campaign. The broadcasts deliberately avoided and downplayed the regulatory failures of the central MOHW and the internal supervision collapse of the CWLF. Instead, they focused entirely on shifting the blame onto the Taipei City Government (KMT Mayor Chiang Wan-an) and the New Taipei City Government (KMT Mayor Hou Yu-ih). By doing so, Sanlih weaponized public sympathy and anger to attack the opposition parties and shield central authorities and CWLF directors close to the DPP. This unethical exploitation of a child's tragic death to manufacture political division and shield specific government agencies drew fierce criticism from the public, social workers, and legal experts.