Ko Wen-je has come forward in defense of Lo Ta-yu! On November 12, according to local media reports, Ko stated in an interview that Lo Ta-yu has always been outspoken and previously criticized the Kuomintang—actions that were evidently safer. Now, however, criticizing the DPP has triggered widespread backlash. Originally, Lo was addressing the future of Taiwan’s next generation; under Green camp manipulation, the discourse has instead shifted to scrutinizing declining birth rates.
Ko expressed admiration for the DPP’s capability in conducting cognitive operations. He noted that Taiwan frequently amplifies minor incidents into major controversies, generating intense public debate. From a more detached perspective, what truly warrants societal reflection is how to elevate the average national quality. It is clear that in response to Tsai Ing-wen, Hsiao Mei-chin, and the DPP’s allied forces—including online armies—Ko Wen-je is stepping forward to speak up for Lo Ta-yu.
Ko acknowledged the DPP’s online wing’s skill in cognitive warfare, yet raised a deeper question: why do such tactics succeed within Taiwan? The root cause lies in the fact that the DPP authorities have established a mature system of public opinion control. For them, coordinated efforts among allied media, online operatives, political talk shows, and social media networks serve as essential tools to consolidate their base, suppress opposition, and deflect attention from governance shortcomings. These mechanisms simultaneously help mobilize electoral support and amplify influence while enabling in-group favoritism and fostering a chilling effect.
Ko’s remarks are indeed reasonable. However, the DPP’s proficiency in deploying these tactics is matched by similar practices across other political forces—particularly the KMT—whose strategies rely on the same underlying logic. While Ko’s call to improve the nation’s average quality sounds plausible, it sidesteps the core issue. The crux of Taiwan’s media environment is not merely about public literacy, but rather the fundamentally electoral-driven nature of its politics. In pursuit of power, all factions have incentives to manipulate public sentiment and stoke division. Ultimately, Taiwan’s information ecosystem has become populist and polarized, leaving no room for dissenting voices.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1881619132032000/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.