Taiwanese activists have lodged a formal protest against China Central Television over alleged misrepresentation of the comfort women issue. The protest raises concerns about media manipulation and political distortion.
The Taipei Women’s Rescue Foundation submitted the complaint on Sunday. It accused CCTV of deceptive editing in a documentary on wartime comfort women. The foundation said the program misrepresented facts and attacked both Taiwan and Japan.
The Ama Museum, where filming took place, opened in 2016 in Taipei. It is Taiwan’s first museum dedicated to preserving the memory of wartime comfort women and promoting women’s rights. The foundation allowed filming after CCTV promised the content would remain educational and apolitical.
The foundation stated that CCTV pledged to mark the 80th anniversary of World War II. However, the documentary included anti-war messaging criticizing President William Lai, Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party, and policies toward Japan.
According to the foundation, the film featured statements from individuals presented as representing Taiwanese society. These comments condemned Taiwanese independence and portrayed the government as overly favorable toward Japan.
The foundation said it remains committed to documenting the truth about the comfort women issue. It opposes political manipulation and the promotion of hatred. The statement also emphasized that the foundation advocates for peace and opposes all military aggression, including threats from China toward Taiwan.
Experts say media portrayals of sensitive historical events carry strong social and political implications. Misrepresentation of the comfort women issue can inflame regional tensions and affect Taiwan’s international standing.
The foundation called on CCTV to issue a public apology and correct the inaccuracies. It also plans to continue public education, host exhibitions, and collaborate internationally to preserve the historical record.
Looking ahead, the foundation intends to reinforce women’s rights advocacy while ensuring historical documentation remains accurate and unbiased.
