A leading press freedom organization is calling on Taiwan to improve its media environment. Senior figures from the non-profit Reporters Without Borders (RSF) say Taiwan is a model democracy and the country has a responsibility to lead the way on media reform.
Last month, RSF published its yearly World Press Freedom Index. Taiwan climbed five places to 38th highest in the world and the highest in Asia.
But RSF’s Taipei bureau director, Cedric Alviani, says Taiwan has a lot of room to improve. He says there are three problems. First, many media outlets are affiliated with big businesses. That creates conflicts of interest when it comes to reporting.
Second, media bosses and politicians enjoy close ties, which, again, creates conflicts of interest.
Finally, sensationalism is blurring the line between media and entertainment. Alviani says Taiwanese media view their audience not as rational consumers, but as people in need of distraction.
Despite the critical remarks, RSF says Taiwan is no longer “following the trend” when it comes to creating a free media environment, but “creating the trend” instead. The organization is calling on Taiwan to show true leadership and reform its media laws to protect reporters’ independence.