China is widening its pressure campaign on Taiwan from politicians to celebrities and media bosses, a worrying sign for free speech as Taiwan's local elections approach.

• A Chinese military-run commentary account attacked TV host Kevin Tsai for showing up at a campaign event for a pro-independence Taipei mayoral candidate, warning he would pay a heavy price.
• The same day, a Chinese social media account went after Eastern Media chief Wang Ling-lin and news site ETtoday, accusing it of favoring the ruling party and demanding staff be replaced.
• Taiwan security officials read the twin attacks as deliberate: squeeze anyone with business in China into political loyalty, and bend news coverage before the vote.
• The leverage is money — stars and companies that earn income in the Chinese market risk losing it if they step out of line.
• One Taiwanese outlet ran a piece echoing Beijing's line and predicting Tsai's career death in China, then deleted it.

Outlook: Expect more public naming and shaming of Taiwanese figures with China business ties as the local elections get closer.