Advertising Government Information Office (GIO) Minister Pasuya Yao («À¤å´¼) organized a 15-man "task force" to write letters to newspapers to defend the government on a daily basis, a strategy he yesterday defended as an opportunity for "practicing writing" and evaluating staff.
The 15 members of the "task force" are all senior officials, and their main task for the day is to write letters relating to pressing issues of the moment -- before they are reviewed and authorized by their superior officials at the GIO and sent to media outlets.
The task-force members are not required to use their real names but real names are apparently also welcomed.
GIO officials said the "task force" was established last week after Premier Frank Hsieh (Áªø§Ê) became involved in a dispute with the media over reporting on his comments relating to "stray teachers" (surplus teachers looking for employment) and how they might be able to find jobs with police departments.
