Via Apple Daily
With the news that former Taipei Deputy Mayor King Pu-Tsung, taking the position of CEO of Next Media's TV station, the DPP wondered "whether this is another version of party/government and military intervening with media."
Next Media Group Chairman Jimmy Lai said that he welcomes the doubts as well as monitoring by other people if he does something wrong people may make criticisms. "In the end, you have to watch what we do, I don't change my position for any single person," said Lai, "Starting a television for Ma Ying-jeou? Do you think he is my Dad?"
Jimmy Lai though has a history of changing his political alliances when it serves his purpose---maybe he is just a businessman? Maybe he is attempting to curry favor with the KMT?
In 2000 and 2004 Lai supported DPP Chen Shui-bian, then switched his political allegiance to KMT when the winds switched---so he may in fact, despite what he otherwise said, switch his positions for a person?
What kind of man is Lai? This man has been accused of peddling in child porn with the Easy Finder photos of 14 year old Li Rain in a wet t-shirt and surreptitiously taking photos of Chung Gillian, changing her clothes during a concert in Malaysia.
Lai has been wanting to build a media empire in Taiwan and since 2003 he has launched Taiwanese editions of Next Magazine and Apple Daily---both publications have drawn criticisms from the National Communications Commission and the public for their graphic images.
More here Next Media Picks Close Aide to Ma Ying-jeou
Related: Jimmy Lai to launch news channel
HK Media Tycoon Jimmy Lai to launch TV station in Taiwan
