Leading pro-China news channel taken off air

TAIPEI, TAIWAN » Employees and supporters rallied for a Taiwanese pro- China cable news channel as it was taken off air Saturday, after the government refused to renew its license, citing accuracy issues.

CTiTV’s channel 52 broadcast a countdown and then went black after midnight. The cable network, whose non-news channels were not affected, plans to continue putting news on YouTube and other digital platforms.

A large crowd chanted “Hang on, CTiTV” and held up signs reading “Thank you CTiTV, we will see you again.” Employees, some tearing up, sang songs and swayed in unison wearing matching blue windbreakers.