A government-backed English-language broadcaster in Taiwan removed a video of its journalist in which he was seen calling US President-elect Donald Trump a “convicted felon.”
Calling the incident “very serious,” the government ordered the agency to take down the video.
To be associated with Trump’s second administration, Taiwan congratulated Trump on his victory in the 2024 presidential election.
Washington has long been Taipei’s most important supporter, but Trump raised concerns on the campaign trail by suggesting Taiwan should pay the United States for its defence and accusing it of stealing the US semiconductor industry.
TaiwanPlus correspondent Louise Watt was speaking on camera in the United States last week when she said “The US is either going to vote in its first female president or its first convicted felon”.
“Well America looks like it’s chosen the felon,” Watt said, in a clip shared by Taiwanese broadcaster TVBS and seen by AFP.
Taiwan Culture Minister Li Yuan told local media on Saturday that TaiwanPlus took down the video after he told the broadcaster “that this issue is very serious”.
Public Television Service Foundation, which manages TaiwanPlus, said Monday that the broadcaster had “humbly reviewed its operational procedures” following the report.
The foundation said it will convene a “self-discipline” committee this week to “discuss the matter”.
TaiwanPlus broadcasts videos on its website, YouTube and cable television.
More than 90 per cent of its viewers are overseas, the foundation said.
In 2023, TaiwanPlus began showing in US hotels in “key cities frequented by political and economic elites, such as Washington D C, New York, Los Angeles, and Seattle”, the foundation said.
(With inputs from agencies)