Taiwan TV station apologizes over false Chinese war blunder

TAIPEI, April 21 ------ A Taiwanese television station apologized Wednesday for "causing public panic" after erroneously running a series of alerts saying China had launched attacks on the island.

Taipei-based Chinese Television System (CTS) sparked alarm after running several news alerts on its screen including "New Taipei City hit by Communist army's guided missiles" and "Vessels exploded, facilities and ships damaged in Taipei port". Other alerts featured read "Communist China's frequent war preparations, the President issued emergency order" and "War could break out, New Taipei City opens joint emergency command and control center".

CTS attributed the blunder to staff who mistakenly put out content from disaster prevention drills that the station was commissioned to produce for New Taipei City's fire department. "CTS offers its sincere apology that this serious flaw has caused panic among the public and trouble to relevant units," the company said in a statement. CTS said it ran corrections and apologies on multiple channels, adding that it will "severely punish" those responsible after initiating an internal probe.

"Don't panic," read a message posted on its official Facebook page, with a photo of a clarification alert saying: "CTS mistakenly ran war and disaster prevention message, no need for the public to panic".

Source: news.abs-cbn.com