The National Communications Commission has decided to not renew the license for CTi News. The news channel's six-year broadcast license expires on December 11. The commission made the decision unanimously in a 7 to 0 vote. CTi News is a satellite cable news channel operated by Chung T'ien Television. It is part of the Want Want China Times Group, a pro-China business group.
NCC Chairman Chen Yaw-shyang says that since its license renewal in 2014, CTi News has led Taiwan's ten cable networks in terms of spreading disinformation and violating rules, and in the number of complaints it has received from viewers. The commission says the channel has been unable to restrain itself. Chen said the biggest problem is that its biggest shareholder, Tsai Eng-meng, the chairman of the Want Want China Times Group, directly interferes with the channel's news production. It said despite the channel's plan to upgrade its professional training of its staff, Tsai's direct involvement with the news content would still be a problem.
The case has been controversial. Some see CTi as being funded by China and promoting pro-China propaganda. Others, however, say that shutting the station down is suppression of press freedom.
Cabinet Secretary General Li Meng-yen says that the National Communications Commission is an independent agency. Its members are experts elected by the Legislature. He said the commission makes its decisions according to the law and that its decisions should be respected.