Infighting has broken out in Taiwan's pro-unification media circles, with CTi cutting ties with two pro-China pundits — a move described as the outlet's owner currying favour with the ruling party, and bad news for the pro-unification camp.

• Veteran CTi anchor Chou Yu-chin was abruptly laid off, and her husband, political commentator Lai Yueh-chien, has had his broadcast appearances cancelled.
• Former legislator Chiu Yi has come out in support of the couple, endorsing the view that Want Want China Times Group owner Tsai Eng-meng is presenting a "loyalty pledge" to the DPP leadership.
• Chiu Yi also said that he and fellow pundit Tang Hsiang-lung were sold out by the same methods several years ago, when Tsai Ing-wen was at the centre of power.
• Chiu Yi reads the latest move as a sign that Lai Ching-te is nervous, and as a backlash ahead of unification.
• CTi issued a statement denying that it is under political pressure, saying that Lai Yueh-chien and his wife do not even rank high enough to make a list of those being suppressed; officials likewise said the government does not blacklist particular individuals.

Outlook: The war of words between pro-unification pundits and CTi looks set to run on in the near term, and concerns over a shift in the outlet's editorial stance will continue to build.