By M.E. Dodge
Impunity Watch Reporter, Asia

TAIPAI, Taiwan –  As efforts to enforce ties with former diplomatic rival, China, there is concern that the media in Taiwan may be hampered. Awareness of the shift in content gained prevalence after press freedom index, published by Paris-based Reporters Without Borders, revealed that Taiwan fell 23 spots to number 59 in 2009.

The index, based on questionnaires completed by hundreds of journalists and media experts, reflects press freedom violations that took place between September 2008 and August 2009. While Reporters Without Borders said Taiwan’s press freedom was not in danger, it attributed the downgrading partly to the ruling party‘s attempt to interfere in the media.

Head of Reporters Without Borders Asia desk, Vincent Brossel, stated, “The state must take action to improve records and prevent restrictions, violence or any sort of obstacle to the media freedom.”

 

Local journalists in Taipai work on covering a story in October 2009. Photograph Curtesy of Yahoo! World News.

 Those who are critical of the change in media coverage, as well as journalists, observe that the recent Reporters Without Borders index report is a warning of how far the island is prepared to go to appease its giant Chinese neighbor and influence.

Skeptics note that, Taiwan’s government, which took office in May 2008, pledged a more pro-Beijing stance to strengthen political and trade relations.  A cabinet spokeswoman, Su Jun-pin, however, stated, “We did not see any media being pressured for criticizing the government when it was not doing enough. The government humbly accepted the criticism.”

There is further concern shared by journalists and media experts. One commentator said, “It all comes down to business, as public and private sectors aim to cash in on China’s rising economic clout.” Another from the National Chung Cheng University stated, “We see political considerations weighing on the handling of news as the government makes the development of cross-strait ties its priority.”

Regardless of the extent of China’s political or economic clout, the fear by media personnel is that beyond kowtowing and broadcasting stories China wants transmitted, journalists will be forced to report their coverage as a one-sided story – hampering press freedom.

For more information, please see:

TaiPai Times – Taiwan slides 23 places in global press freedom index – October 21, 2009 

Yahoo! World News – Concerns over Taiwan press freedom amid China thaw – October 25, 2009 

Radio Taiwan International – Taiwan to write to NGO to clarify falling press freedom – October 22, 2009