Taipei: A reporter at Taiwan’s state-affiliated Central News Agency (CNA) resigned Monday following a local media report alleging that Taiwan People’s Party (TPP) Chairman Huang Kuo-chang organized and directed a group of paparazzi to track Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) politicians, linking the reporter to that group. CNA, Taiwan’s national news agency that publishes in English under its Focus Taiwan banner, stated that it respects Hsieh Hsing-en’s decision and is processing her resignation according to internal procedures. The agency added that they will continue to investigate and clarify whether Hsieh’s conduct violated work ethics or company rules.
According to Focus Taiwan, Hsieh stated on Monday that she “chose silence” and will not make any further statements “regarding recent misunderstandings and accusations.” She emphasized that her resignation does not signify failure or concession, but rather a commitment to media values. On Friday, news site Mirror Daily, owned by Taiwanese media company Mirror Media, reported that Huang, who currently leads Taiwan’s third-largest political party, began forming a paparazzi group in 2022. This occurred two years after establishing the Taiwan Anti-corruption and Whistleblower Protection Association (TAWPA). The group, comprising around half a dozen members, reportedly held meetings in an office in Taipei’s Da’an District, which Huang “often attended in person.”
According to Mirror Daily, Hsieh, identified as “a reporter surnamed S,” recruited former journalists experienced in tailing and photography into the group. The report noted that the group’s first high-profile case involved DPP Taipei mayoral candidate Chen Shih-chung in late 2022. In 2023, the group’s funding reportedly shifted from TAWPA to a company named “Kai-ssu International,” with chat records showing Huang directing a paparazzo surnamed Lin to report back to him.
Mirror Daily reported that four members of the group, who allegedly followed DPP legislator Wang Yi-chuan, were employed by Kai-ssu International. Among them was a former aide for Huang, described as handling administrative tasks for the group. Wang filed a complaint after Kuomintang (KMT) lawmaker Hsu Chiao-hsin posted Facebook photos accusing him of running red lights, an allegation Wang later admitted. However, he expressed fear due to the surveillance by the paparazzi group.
CNA said on Friday that it immediately suspended Hsieh from news reporting when the Mirror Daily report surfaced, reassigning her to other duties and launching a special investigation into potential breaches of professional ethics. Huang, who has been leading the TPP since January 1, 2025, has not responded to Mirror Daily’s allegations.
