Minister of Interior Hsu Kuo-yung paid tribute to the memory of those who struggled for freedom of expression in Taiwan April 7 during the opening ceremony of an event series at Taipei City-based National 228 Memorial Museum, spotlighting the country’s commitment to democracy and human rights.
Praising Taiwan’s ranking as the second freest country in Asia and 25th freest of the 195 countries and 15 territories evaluated in the 2020 Freedom in the World report published by U.S.-based nongovernmental organization Freedom House, Hsu advised citizens not to take their rights for granted. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, he warned of the potential for disinformation to undermine the freedom that democracy activists fought hard to attain.
Joining Hsu in commemorating national Freedom of Expression day was President Tsai Ing-wen. In a post on her official Facebook page, she compared free speech to an antibody providing protection against disease, adding that a democratic and transparent society is immune to false information.
Premier Su Tseng-chang also took to social media in recognition of the day, vowing through his official Line account that the government would tirelessly guard the right of the people to speak without fear for generations to come.
The Executive Yuan designated April 7 as national Freedom of Expression Day in December 2016 in memory of Cheng Nan-jung, a publisher and activist who sacrificed his life in pursuit of democracy. This year marks the 31st anniversary of his death on April 7, 1989. (TYT-E)
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