Taipei - A Taiwan newspaper said Friday it has barred one of its reporters from covering news events after he shouted at embattled President Chen Shui-bian to resign.
The United Daily News (UDN) said it suspended and reprimanded Ting Wan-ming because he 'mixed up his political stand with his professional duty.'
While Chen presented awards to business leaders Thursday, Ting held up a cardboard sign that said 'Resign!' and shouted 'Ah-Bian Resign!' twice. Ah-Bian is President Chen's the nickname.
Chen's bodyguards overpowered Ting and removed him from the venue. Chen, looking undisturbed, finished presenting the awards and left without commenting on the incident.
Ting, released after questioning, justified his action by saying that 60 per cent Taiwanese wanted President Chen to resign.
'I only wanted to make President Chen aware of the public's demand,' he told other reporters.
The Association of Taiwan Journlists condemned Ting's action, calling it a bad example because reporters should remain neutral while doing their job.
It was the third incident involving the president's security this year amid an opposition campaign to unseat Chen for alleged corruption involving him, his family members and aides.
In March, a member of Chen's guard regiment said in an internet chatroom that he planned to poke his rifle into Chen's head during a welcoming ceremony for President Ludwig Scotty of Nauru.
Last month a Taipei man was arrested for shooting flares at the presidential office building to show his dissatisfaction with Taiwan's leader.
Chen's security has since been beefed up.
