Taiwan's cabinet is blocking another law passed by the opposition-controlled legislature, deepening the standoff between the government and parliament.

• Premier Cho Jung-tai refused to countersign the amended Broadcasting and Television Act after lawmakers passed it.
• The cabinet says the new rules on party, government, and military ownership of media clash with similar rules it already rejected in cable and satellite TV laws.
• The government argues inconsistent rules would break the constitution's equal treatment principle and cause fights over enforcement.
• This is the eighth bill since late last year that the cabinet has refused to countersign, instead of using the older tools of asking for reconsideration or a constitutional ruling.
• Under Taiwan's constitution, the president cannot publish a law without the premier's signature, so the refusal keeps it from taking effect.

Outlook: Expect the legislature to push back hard, with the fight over who controls media ownership rules likely heading toward a constitutional showdown.