Ms. Hong Xiuzhu was conferred an MA(Master of Arts) degree for her completing a short-term, intensive study of education at North Eastern Missouri State University, now Truman State University, in the early 90s.  Since then, shes registered the degree as one of her academic attainments. 

Now came mudslingings by whispering campaigns from pro-DPP TV "pundits." At first, they questioned Ms. Hongs degree as false and claimed that the university was a ghost school that sold diplomas for profit purposes only.  When all evidence had proved her degree was a genuine one, and the university is one of the best in regional ranking, those "pundits" now accused Ms. Hong of registering the degree in Chinese as Master of Education instead of Master of Arts, and that was a cheat.  Come on, it is a common sense that with few exceptions(for example, MBA), most masters degrees are MA and MS(Master of Science), just like most doctorate degrees are Ph.D.  I think its appropriate for a degree owner to specify its specialization in Chinese. Otherwise, who knows what kind of Arts or Philosophy it refers to? 

The purpose of mudslinging is simple.  The attackers are trying to make the victims feel infuriating and further leak some flaws.  Even though the victims could handle the cases with remarkable aplomb, the damage was done to them because the low-class media in Taiwan would, sometimes intentionally, give the audience a false impression that the problem at issue is highly controversial; therefore, the honesty of the party involved is questionable also.  Dear islanders, you want democracy?  Youve got it!