TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Grand Hotel has denied reports that it censored CBS, saying the dispute arose because the network did not seek filming approval in advance and disturbed other guests while shooting an early-morning live segment, according to media reports.
CBS Evening News anchor Tony Dokoupil claimed earlier this week that he was not allowed to broadcast from the hotel on political grounds. Speaking live from Liberty Square, he also featured Taiwanese who reportedly expressed fear about talking openly about China, according to a New York Post report.
Dokoupil’s visit followed the broadcaster's failure to secure a visa to cover US President Donald Trump’s trip to Beijing for talks with Xi Jinping. CBS decided to report from Taiwan instead.
It booked a room by phone through an interpreter and checked in on Wednesday night, CNA reported. The team’s live broadcast around 6 a.m. on Thursday reportedly drew complaints from guests, including a request for a refund.
The Grand Hotel said staff then told the interpreter that filming would not be permitted because no prior application had been made, and also to ensure the comfort of its guests.
CBS anchor Tony Dokoupil responded on air by saying the hotel had told his team they could not cover political content on the property. However, The Grand Hotel called that account inaccurate and said it was “inconsistent with how the hotel actually handled the matter,” according to CNA.
Other media outlets, such as Fount Media, described the hotel’s response as a quick rebuttal to what they characterized as an insinuation of political censorship.
The Grand Hotel said in a statement that the issue was one of privacy and comfort, not politics, and it respected the freedom of the press. It added that it had previously cooperated with CNN and other international media.
