May 17, 2022
No. 113
The Republic of China (Taiwan) has a longstanding respect for press freedom. According to the 2022 World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters sans frontièrs (RSF) on May 3, Taiwan ranked 38th in the world, up from 43rd last year. Taiwan was also listed as a “free” country in a 2022 survey by US-based Freedom House, scoring a high of 94 out of 100 for political rights and civil liberties for the second consecutive year, placing it second among Asian countries. These rankings indicate that Taiwan has won international recognition for its democratic advancement and vibrant media environment.
In recent years, China has increased the suppression of international media within its borders. Since imposing a national security law in Hong Kong, it has employed judicial powers to severely restrict press freedom and judicial independence. These factors have led a number of international media outlets to gradually relocate to Taiwan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes foreign media outlets to station journalists in Taiwan and actively provides assistance to them.
As of May 15, a total of 137 journalists from 75 media organizations in 20 countries were based in Taiwan—an increase of 63 journalists from 29 outlets in the two-plus years since 2020, up by more than a third.
The influx of journalists in recent years has enjoyed greater diversity in terms of geographic origin and media type. Outlets from Oceania, West Asia, Latin America, and the South Pacific have stationed personnel in Taiwan for the first time, while traditional media such as newspapers, television and radio stations, and magazines have been joined by the presence of online media and other new forms of news channel.
These media outlets have been producing large numbers of news reports. Rich and diverse in content, these have covered a wide range of topics, including cross-strait relations and regional security, as well as Taiwan’s antipandemic success, industrial development, arts, and culture. Other reporters have explored issues related to China, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and Indo-Pacific countries. These activities show that Taiwan’s free and rapid flow of information, transparency and openness, well-developed rule of law, and respect for diverse opinions have provided foreign media with an excellent work environment where press freedom is upheld. Taiwan’s convenient location also allows for better observation of regional developments and easier travel for newsgathering purposes.
The government of Taiwan will continue to provide necessary assistance to international media and welcome journalists from other outlets to come to Taiwan to enjoy its free, diverse, and convenient newsgathering environment, thereby further safeguarding our shared values of democracy and human rights. (E)