TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Former Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) on Wednesday appealed a Taipei District Court decision allowing oral arguments in his case to be broadcast only after the court issues its judgment.

Taipei District Court ruled on Dec. 2 that the oral arguments will be made available to the public but denied Ko’s request for a live broadcast, per CNA. Under Judicial Yuan regulations issued in accordance with the Court Organization Act, broadcasts of court proceedings may only occur after a judgment is read.

Ko’s appeal argues that by restricting broadcasts to post-judgment, the Judicial Yuan has stripped courts of the ability to determine, on a case-by-case basis, whether live broadcasting is appropriate, per UDN. The appeal contends this limitation infringes on judicial independence and encroaches on the Legislative Yuan’s lawmaking authority.

When the Taiwan People’s Party sought amendments to the Court Organization Act to permit broadcasting of proceedings, several legal organizations criticized the proposal, citing privacy concerns and the risk of influencing trials. Democratic Progressive Party legislative caucus whip Ker Chien-ming (柯建銘) alleged at the time that the amendment was tailor-made for Ko, per TVBS.