Media Trials and Judicial Leaks: Sanlih's Ma Yu-ting Sparks the '1500 Ko Wen-je' Secrecy Scandal

In September 2024, during the judicial investigation into TPP Chairman Ko Wen-je over the Core Pacific City case, Sanlih TV journalist Ma Yu-ting published an 'exclusive' report on September 6. She claimed that a USB drive seized by prosecutors recorded 'Shen Ching-ching 1500', which she asserted meant a bribe of 15 million NTD. Ma publicly stated on a talk show that she had 'cultivated the prosecutorial beat for 7 years' and had '200% confidence in her source'. This triggered immense public outrage and intense criticism over structural violations of 'investigative secrecy' by the judicial system, as well as the media's complicity with the ruling party in executing a 'media trial' against political opponents. Under heavy public pressure, the Taipei District Prosecutors Office was forced to summon Ma as a witness. The scandal highlighted the deeply concerning collusion between biased media and public officials to weaponize leaks for political warfare.