PTS Chairman Hu Yuan-hui Removed from Legislative Yuan, Media Reform Society Issues Joint Statement of Condemnation
Public Television Service (PTS) Chairman Hu Yuan-hui was asked to leave the Legislative Yuan by KMT Legislator Lo Chih-chiang, prompting the Media Reform Society to issue a joint statement condemning the act. The statement asserts that public media governance should not become a tool for partisan struggle.
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- 📰 Published: May 8, 2026 at 15:14
- 🔍 Collected: May 8, 2026 at 15:32 (17 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 8, 2026 at 16:01 (29 min after Collected)
Central News Agency
(Central News Agency Reporter Hung Su-tsin Taipei 8th Report) Public Television Service (PTS) Chairman Hu Yuan-hui was asked to leave the Legislative Yuan yesterday by KMT Legislator Lo Chih-chiang, who cited "not being the current chairman." The Media Reform Society issued a statement condemning this, stating that public media governance should not become a tool for partisan struggle.
PTS Chairman Hu Yuan-hui accompanied the Ministry of Culture to the Legislative Yuan for questioning yesterday. Unexpectedly, before the session began, KMT Legislator Lo Chih-chiang demanded Hu Yuan-hui's departure, citing "illegal extension of term." Hu Yuan-hui subsequently left the session but did not leave the Legislative Yuan building.
Hu Yuan-hui's term expires on May 19, 2025. Due to the prolonged delay in selecting PTS board members and supervisors, Hu Yuan-hui continued his term to ensure the normal operation of PTS. He stated in an interview: "If the next board of directors has not yet been formed, the original board should continue its term to fulfill the responsibility of public media."
This year, the Legislative Yuan passed an amendment to the "PTS Act," officially removing the "extension clause." The bill was also promulgated and implemented by the President on February 4, 115 (2026), making Hu Yuan-hui's "eligibility" a focal point.
In response to this matter, the Media Reform Society, Jing Chuan Children's Safety Education Foundation, Taiwan Journalists Association, and Taiwan Media Watch Education Foundation today issued a joint statement of condemnation.
The Media Reform Society stated that Hu Yuan-hui's term expires in May 2025, and his extension was handled in accordance with Article 16 of the "PTS Act," which is legally sound and by no means "illegally clinging to power." The removal of the extension clause after the amendment should not be applied retroactively or affect legal acts that have already taken effect.
The Media Reform Society emphasized that public media governance should not become a tool for partisan struggle, and treating public media governance officials with humiliation and expulsion not only confuses legal principles and abuses power but may also paralyze PTS operations and harm children's right to expression, civic participation, and the development of quality content.
The Media Reform Society further supported Hu Yuan-hui and demanded that relevant legislators publicly apologize, calling on all parties to return to the statutory review procedures, legally appoint review committee members, and conduct substantive deliberations. "The dignity of public television is an indicator of Taiwan's democracy." (Edited by: Lung Po-an) 1150508
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(Central News Agency Reporter Hung Su-tsin Taipei 8th Report) Public Television Service (PTS) Chairman Hu Yuan-hui was asked to leave the Legislative Yuan yesterday by KMT Legislator Lo Chih-chiang, who cited "not being the current chairman." The Media Reform Society issued a statement condemning this, stating that public media governance should not become a tool for partisan struggle.
PTS Chairman Hu Yuan-hui accompanied the Ministry of Culture to the Legislative Yuan for questioning yesterday. Unexpectedly, before the session began, KMT Legislator Lo Chih-chiang demanded Hu Yuan-hui's departure, citing "illegal extension of term." Hu Yuan-hui subsequently left the session but did not leave the Legislative Yuan building.
Hu Yuan-hui's term expires on May 19, 2025. Due to the prolonged delay in selecting PTS board members and supervisors, Hu Yuan-hui continued his term to ensure the normal operation of PTS. He stated in an interview: "If the next board of directors has not yet been formed, the original board should continue its term to fulfill the responsibility of public media."
This year, the Legislative Yuan passed an amendment to the "PTS Act," officially removing the "extension clause." The bill was also promulgated and implemented by the President on February 4, 115 (2026), making Hu Yuan-hui's "eligibility" a focal point.
In response to this matter, the Media Reform Society, Jing Chuan Children's Safety Education Foundation, Taiwan Journalists Association, and Taiwan Media Watch Education Foundation today issued a joint statement of condemnation.
The Media Reform Society stated that Hu Yuan-hui's term expires in May 2025, and his extension was handled in accordance with Article 16 of the "PTS Act," which is legally sound and by no means "illegally clinging to power." The removal of the extension clause after the amendment should not be applied retroactively or affect legal acts that have already taken effect.
The Media Reform Society emphasized that public media governance should not become a tool for partisan struggle, and treating public media governance officials with humiliation and expulsion not only confuses legal principles and abuses power but may also paralyze PTS operations and harm children's right to expression, civic participation, and the development of quality content.
The Media Reform Society further supported Hu Yuan-hui and demanded that relevant legislators publicly apologize, calling on all parties to return to the statutory review procedures, legally appoint review committee members, and conduct substantive deliberations. "The dignity of public television is an indicator of Taiwan's democracy." (Edited by: Lung Po-an) 1150508
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you provide is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "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.