April 7 is Freedom of Speech Day in honor of pro-democracy hero Nylon Cheng. Cheng died on this day 34 years ago, in defense of "100 percent freedom of expression." At a memorial event for Cheng, Vice President Lai Ching-te said that even today, many challenges lay ahead for democracy. Lai urged citizens to stand strong against Chinese disinformation, in order to protect Taiwan’s hard-won freedoms.
With a deep bow and an offering of flowers, Vice President Lai Ching-te paid tribute to pro-democracy activist Nylon Cheng on the 34th anniversary of his death.
The memorial event was suspended for three years due to COVID, but it resumed this year due to the subsiding pandemic. Lai said that even 34 years after Cheng’s self-immolation, many challenges remained in the way of freedom and democracy.
Lai Ching-te
Vice premier
New dangers have emerged, and the international situation is neither calm nor stable. At a moment like this, we should cherish Taiwan’s democracy and freedom even more. We should absolutely not use disinformation and freedom of speech to undermine freedom of speech.
Lai urged the public to defend democracy, in a way similar to President Tsai Ing-wen on her diplomatic tour. The call came amid China’s continued attempts to use cognitive warfare and disinformation to undermine Taiwan’s democracy.
Cheng Chu-mei
Nylon Cheng Liberty Foundation
Many people exploit their freedom of speech to manufacture false narratives, fabricate rumors and disseminate misinformation and fake news. People exposed to such information and who can’t determine their authenticity may spread the disinformation unknowingly. Whether deliberate or not, all these actions hurt Taiwan’s democracy.
Amid China’s constant oppression, the Nylon Cheng Liberty Foundation is holding a series of activities to showcase Taiwan’s hard-won democracy.
