Press Conference | Judicial Reform Enters the Digital Era: JRF Launches Digital Rule of Law Special Exhibition "Escape to the Last Room: JRF Digital Rule of Law Special Exhibition"

The Taichung Office of the Judicial Reform Foundation held a press conference today for the opening of the "Escape to the Last Room: JRF Digital Rule of Law Special Exhibition." Representatives from the Taichung and Changhua bar associations, scholars, and distinguished guests from all walks of life gathered to witness an important step forward as judicial reform moves into the digital era.

Having deep roots in the community for a decade since its establishment, JRF Deputy Executive Director and Attorney Li Ming-ju remarked, "Although we are no longer a newly established organization, planting local roots and shouldering our responsibilities remains quite challenging." She also expressed gratitude for the long-term support of local pro bono lawyers and community partners, which allows legal education to continue shining brightly in central Taiwan.

While JRF is not an arts and cultural organization, over the past five years its Taichung Office has curated seven exhibitions, engaging in dialogue with the younger generation through exhibitions and diverse formats. She noted, "Taking to the streets may no longer reach as many young people, but through exhibitions, each event can reach hundreds of young audiences, and many high school students even actively book visits, allowing us to see new opportunities for communication."

Centered on the theme of the "Digital Rule of Law," this exhibition stems from the technology-mediated investigation and privacy rights issues that JRF has monitored since 2020. At that time, JRF and bar associations jointly criticized the inadequacies and flaws of the draft Technology-Mediated Investigation Act, and established a civil-society drafting study group, which ultimately evolved into today's "Digital Rule of Law Group." The "Draft Digital Rights Basic Act" presented in the exhibition is precisely the result of the group's integration of international trends and local experience, attempting to propose a blueprint for the rule of law that belongs to Taiwanese society and responds to the digital native generation.

In response, Wu Chung-ho, Chairman of the Taichung Bar Association, stated in his opening remarks that the development of digital technology has penetrated daily life, and the rule-of-law challenges triggered by AI and other technologies urgently require the joint understanding and participation of all sectors of society. He also expressed hope that this special exhibition will give the general public and legal professionals a deeper understanding of the "Digital Rule of Law."

Hsu Fu-hsiung, Chairman of the Changhua Bar Association, shared his understanding of the exhibition theme based on his background in intellectual property and technology law. Attorney Hsu Fu-hsiung stated, "This exhibition reminds me of whether we have the right to say 'no.' In a digital environment, when facing information reception and data collection, do we have room for choice? And what are the exceptions where we cannot say 'no'?" He emphasized that the definition of related rights must be established on a rule-of-law foundation possessing constitutional rank and democratic procedures, and administrative agencies should not unilaterally decide them.

This exhibition not only focuses on critical issues such as technology-mediated investigations, personal data protection, AI ethics, and freedom of speech, but also attempts to connect with the younger generation's intuitive perceptions of technology and rights. JRF hopes that through this exhibition, it will arouse broader social discussion and participation regarding the legal framework in the digital era, while injecting new imagination and momentum into judicial reform.

The "Escape to the Last Room: JRF Digital Rule of Law Special Exhibition" is on display in Taichung starting today. It is organized by the Judicial Reform Foundation, co-organized by the Taichung Bar Association, Changhua Bar Association, and Nantou Bar Association, and supported by the Taiwan Network Information Center. The exhibition runs from August 5, 2025, to February 7, 2026. The general public, schools, and legal professionals are warmly welcomed to visit and exchange ideas, as we contemplate how the judiciary should respond and the rule of law should transform in an era of continuously expanding digital power.

Press Contact

Advocacy Specialist Hsieh Chia-chen jane@jrf.org.tw