Anti Media Monopoly March

Event description

"Wantwant" originally started as a Taiwanese food manufacturer, but in 1992, it expanded its operations to China, becoming one of the most important food enterprises in the country. In November 2008, the Wantwant Group acquired China Times, CTiTV, and CTV, merging them into the "Wantwant China Times Media Group". This media group has a notably pro-China stance.

In 2012, Wantwant applied to the National Communications Commission (NCC) for the acquisition of Homeplus Digital Co., Ltd. (a cable TV system), sparking public concern. Many communication and legal scholars believed that the acquisition would lead to media centralization and monopolization. Coupled with its pro-China position, this move by the Wantwant China Times Media Group was seen as having a significant impact on the media landscape in Taiwan.

On July 25, 2012, legal scholar Huang Kuo-chang and others protested at the NCC. Several "interns'' from the group pretended to participate, and Huang Kuo-chang was accused by the Wantwant China Times of employing "walk-in workers," causing a heated discussion. Chen Wei-ting, a student from National Tsing Hua University, expressed support and was also sued by Wantwant China Times. This incident gained widespread attention, leading students from various universities to form the "Anti-Media Monster Youth Alliance." On September 1, they organized a "901 Anti-Media Monopoly Grand Parade," marching to the front of Wantwant China Times' headquarters, chanting slogans like "You're big, but I'm not afraid." They raised demands for "professional journalism," an apology from Wantwant China Times, NCC supervision, and opposition to media monopolies, attracting around ten thousand participants.

Outcome

On February 20, 2013, the Wantwant China Times' acquisition of China Network was rejected after NCC review. This event had a significant impact on Taiwanese society's attention to Chinese investment and media ecology. Members of the "Anti-Media Monster Youth Alliance," such as Chen Wei-ting and Lin Fei-fan, also became key figures in the student movement at that time, laying the social foundation for the 2014 Sunflower Movement.

Participating Organizations