Ex-President Chen's talk show pulled ahead of YouTube debut

Taipei, Jan. 4 (CNA) A political talk show hosted by former President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) was abruptly pulled ahead of its planned YouTube debut on Sunday, with Chen, out on medical parole, revealing the cancellation was ordered by Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰).

On a Facebook post titled "Premier Cho give orders, A-bian no show," Chen, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence for corruption, said Cho had ordered the new show not to air and warned he could be sent back to prison otherwise.

The interview-based program, which Chen said would feature "unprecedented in-depth discussions," was scheduled to premiere at 10 a.m. Sunday on a YouTube channel run by local cable news provider Mirror TV.

Chen announced the cancellation about two hours before airtime, saying that although the National Communications Commission (NCC) had cleared the program for online broadcast, the head of the Agency of Corrections subsequently told him by phone that Cho had ordered it not to air.

Chen said that authorities would "send A-bian (Chen's nickname) back to prison" if the program aired as scheduled.

Mirror TV said in a statement that it would suspend the scheduled broadcast, adding that the decision ultimately rested with Chen, the host of the show.

Liu Ming-chang (劉明彰), deputy head of the Agency of Corrections, said compliance requirements for inmates on medical parole are enforced by correctional authorities in accordance with regulations through inspections and supervision.

Asked whether the agency had received any instruction from the premier, Liu said he had not received any related information and therefore could not comment or respond.

Chen, 75, has been out on medical parole since Jan. 5, 2015, after serving more than six years of a 20-year sentence, a consolidated term stemming from multiple corruption-related convictions involving actions during his two terms as president from 2000 to 2008.

The Taichung Prison said Friday that it has issued an official letter warning Chen to strictly abide by the regulations governing medical parole, one of which prohibits engaging in political activities.

Prior to being granted parole, Chen received treatment at a hospital affiliated with the prison.

The prison will continue to monitor the situation and handle the matter in accordance with the law, according to the prison's statement.

NCC Secretary-General Huang Wen-che (黃文哲) said Friday that whether a prisoner on medical parole is allowed to host a show or appear in public is a matter for the Ministry of Justice to determine, as it falls solely within its purview.

Later in the afternoon, the Agency of Corrections under the Ministry of Justice said that since Chen was granted medical parole, Taichung Prison has assigned personnel, in accordance with the law, to monitor and supervise all of his activities while he remains on parole.

Regarding the latest incident, the agency said Taichung Prison reviewed Chen's request related to the program and his medical condition in line with relevant regulations and rejected the application. It did not disclose the reason for the decision or say whether Cho was involved.