Taipei child protection case sparks media ethics and political controversy

A controversy has emerged in Taipei regarding the protection of a 10-year-old girl who was repeatedly molested at home. While the Taipei City Government's Social Affairs Bureau stated that they had initiated judicial protection and conducted 714 visits, critics argue the child remained in a dangerous environment for 240 days.

Taipei City Councilor Yang Chih-tou criticized Mirror Media for assigning a reporter with a prior criminal record of sexual exploitation to cover the story. The reporter, identified as a surname Liu, was previously convicted for filming indecent images of minors under the guise of interviewing. Yang expressed outrage that the media outlet allowed this individual to appear on live programs to discuss the case using the child as subject matter.

Political debate has intensified, with critics accusing the Kuomintang (KMT) of using vulnerable groups as political tools. Some observers noted that the city administration has focused on defending the professionalism of social workers rather than addressing why the risk assessment mechanisms failed to ensure the child's safety.