Li Yuan Rejects Political Negotiation in Public Television Intervention, Upholding Spirit of Media Independence
Minister of Culture Li Yuan strongly opposed political negotiation in the selection of the Public Television board, defending the spirit of media independence. He argued that the prolonged deadlock in board selection goes against the past principle of "political parties, government, and military withdrawing from public media."
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 7, 2026 at 12:46
- 🔍 Collected: May 7, 2026 at 13:01 (15 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 7, 2026 at 13:30 (29 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Chao Ching-yu, Taipei 7th) The prolonged deadlock in the 8th Public Television board selection became a focal point today at the Legislative Yuan's Education and Culture Committee. Minister of Culture Li Yuan protested, stating that if he must rely on political negotiation to form the board, "I would be violating the spirit of the public broadcasting group, which advocated for political parties, government, and military to withdraw from public media in the past."
Li Yuan stated when questioned by Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislator Chen Pei-yu today that the Ministry of Culture has been misunderstood regarding the Public Television board deadlock. Outsiders have repeatedly said that political negotiation is needed to form a new board. "I think it should be said in reverse: the fact that it has taken nearly 1000 days twice in the past 20 years to form a new board is because the entire system deviates from its spirit. I hope that under my tenure, it can return to the system itself."
Li Yuan stated that the Ministry of Culture sincerely nominated 14 candidates by the end of 2025, after which 10 were removed, with 7 of them being eligible for re-appointment. Subsequently, the Ministry of Culture nominated 10 more candidates, and all review committee members signed to attend, but then suddenly resigned collectively the day before. "Now they talk about responsibility and push the blame on me, saying I didn't negotiate. I cannot continue as minister like this; I must insist."
Li Yuan said that what can be communicated is to analyze these Executive Yuan nominees to everyone, explaining their fields. "We emphasize youth and ethnic diversity. I am very willing to communicate with the review committee members because they represent public interest and society. Why should review committee members, in turn, listen to the command of political parties? This is something I absolutely cannot accept."
Li Yuan said that 20 years ago, there was originally a very idealistic establishment of a public broadcasting group, and the rules of the game were also laid out: political parties would send socially impartial individuals to select. "But in these 20 years, we have continuously encountered mutual obstruction. I hope we can return to the review mechanism. I firmly believe that at least our society still has a system and fairness."
DPP legislator Chen Pei-yu stated that regarding the Public Television board review process, if it continues to be obstructed by the Legislative Yuan or even maliciously manipulated by the media, will there be no young professionals or enthusiastic public servants willing to be nominated in the future? "I think this phenomenon is very likely to occur."
DPP legislator Lin Yi-chin believes that Public Television directors and supervisors continue to perform their duties until the 8th board and supervisors take office, in accordance with the "Foundations Act." Hu Yuan-hui is naturally the chairman of Public Television.
Lin Yi-chin stated that the Kuomintang (KMT) has been continuously pressuring the Ministry of Culture, demanding that Public Television board members be selected through political negotiation. "This is naked political blackmail." Lin Yi-chin emphasized that the 8 review committee members nominated by the opposition party, dissatisfied with the candidates, collectively resigned and refused to fulfill their duties. "I think this is not a guilty conscience; what is a guilty conscience?"
KMT legislator Ko Chih-en questioned Li Yuan, stating that the Public Television board re-election deadlock has been difficult for a long time, and everyone hopes to complete the re-election as soon as possible. She hoped the minister would not be too far from public opinion. Ko Chih-en said that "political negotiation" has many methods and connotations, and one should not always frame it as political parties, as this dichotomy does not help solve the problem.
DPP legislator Wu Szu-yao stated that Luo Ting-wei, chairman of the Education and Culture Committee, in coordination with legislator Luo Chih-chiang, made the decision to ask the chairman to leave the venue. "I am very angry and regretful that cultural workers are openly bullied in the parliamentary hall." Wu Szu-yao emphasized the need to defend Public Television colleagues during this difficult transitional period, "Everyone is working hard to defend the independence, professionalism, and fairness of Public Television. Proceed according to law." (Editor: Li Heng-shan) 1150507
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(Central News Agency reporter Chao Ching-yu, Taipei 7th) The prolonged deadlock in the 8th Public Television board selection became a focal point today at the Legislative Yuan's Education and Culture Committee. Minister of Culture Li Yuan protested, stating that if he must rely on political negotiation to form the board, "I would be violating the spirit of the public broadcasting group, which advocated for political parties, government, and military to withdraw from public media in the past."
Li Yuan stated when questioned by Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislator Chen Pei-yu today that the Ministry of Culture has been misunderstood regarding the Public Television board deadlock. Outsiders have repeatedly said that political negotiation is needed to form a new board. "I think it should be said in reverse: the fact that it has taken nearly 1000 days twice in the past 20 years to form a new board is because the entire system deviates from its spirit. I hope that under my tenure, it can return to the system itself."
Li Yuan stated that the Ministry of Culture sincerely nominated 14 candidates by the end of 2025, after which 10 were removed, with 7 of them being eligible for re-appointment. Subsequently, the Ministry of Culture nominated 10 more candidates, and all review committee members signed to attend, but then suddenly resigned collectively the day before. "Now they talk about responsibility and push the blame on me, saying I didn't negotiate. I cannot continue as minister like this; I must insist."
Li Yuan said that what can be communicated is to analyze these Executive Yuan nominees to everyone, explaining their fields. "We emphasize youth and ethnic diversity. I am very willing to communicate with the review committee members because they represent public interest and society. Why should review committee members, in turn, listen to the command of political parties? This is something I absolutely cannot accept."
Li Yuan said that 20 years ago, there was originally a very idealistic establishment of a public broadcasting group, and the rules of the game were also laid out: political parties would send socially impartial individuals to select. "But in these 20 years, we have continuously encountered mutual obstruction. I hope we can return to the review mechanism. I firmly believe that at least our society still has a system and fairness."
DPP legislator Chen Pei-yu stated that regarding the Public Television board review process, if it continues to be obstructed by the Legislative Yuan or even maliciously manipulated by the media, will there be no young professionals or enthusiastic public servants willing to be nominated in the future? "I think this phenomenon is very likely to occur."
DPP legislator Lin Yi-chin believes that Public Television directors and supervisors continue to perform their duties until the 8th board and supervisors take office, in accordance with the "Foundations Act." Hu Yuan-hui is naturally the chairman of Public Television.
Lin Yi-chin stated that the Kuomintang (KMT) has been continuously pressuring the Ministry of Culture, demanding that Public Television board members be selected through political negotiation. "This is naked political blackmail." Lin Yi-chin emphasized that the 8 review committee members nominated by the opposition party, dissatisfied with the candidates, collectively resigned and refused to fulfill their duties. "I think this is not a guilty conscience; what is a guilty conscience?"
KMT legislator Ko Chih-en questioned Li Yuan, stating that the Public Television board re-election deadlock has been difficult for a long time, and everyone hopes to complete the re-election as soon as possible. She hoped the minister would not be too far from public opinion. Ko Chih-en said that "political negotiation" has many methods and connotations, and one should not always frame it as political parties, as this dichotomy does not help solve the problem.
DPP legislator Wu Szu-yao stated that Luo Ting-wei, chairman of the Education and Culture Committee, in coordination with legislator Luo Chih-chiang, made the decision to ask the chairman to leave the venue. "I am very angry and regretful that cultural workers are openly bullied in the parliamentary hall." Wu Szu-yao emphasized the need to defend Public Television colleagues during this difficult transitional period, "Everyone is working hard to defend the independence, professionalism, and fairness of Public Television. Proceed according to law." (Editor: Li Heng-shan) 1150507
Choose to stand with facts. Every sponsorship you make is a force for safeguarding press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.