Taiwan: ATJ launches media monitoring report and polling
Media workers in Taiwan are most concerned about pressure from company executives and precariousness of work, said the Association of Taiwan Journalists (ATJ) on April 21 as it launched the results of its year-long media monitoring program in Taiwan. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) calls on actions to be taken by authorities to protect press freedom and journalists’ rights.
The ATJ presented the results of its year-long media monitoring program in Taiwan on April 21, 2021. Credit: ATJ
On April 21, the ATJ presented its poll findings and media monitoring report as part of its Media Rights Monitoring program, which is supported by the IFJ.
The ATJ’s polls showed that pressure from media company executives and job uncertainty are the biggest challenges facing media workers in Taiwan, accounting for 30.1 percent and 25.3 percent of the total, respectively. In addition, 23.8 percent of the 63 media workers surveyed are also worried about pressure from government agencies.
At the same time, the ATJ’s polling indicated that journalists and media organisations in Taiwan have practiced a certain degree of self-censorship in reporting to avoid being punished by the authorities using recent legislation aimed at curbing disinformation and protecting privacy.
Throughout 2020, the ATJ also documented cases in which journalists faced hinderances by law enforcement officers and employees of government agencies when covering controversial events such as protests.
The ATJ’s advocacy efforts can be found at its website for media monitoring, which also allows journalists to report violations of journalists’ rights on the condition of anonymity.
The ATJ calls for inspections of journalists’ working conditions and urges the National Communications Commission to take into consideration records of labour rights violations when the broadcasting regulator reviews the licence of a media company.
The ATJ also calls on government agencies and law enforcement to respect press freedom and encourages media workers to report cases of violations of journalists’ rights.
The IFJ said: “Press freedom cannot be fully realised and journalistic standards ensured unless journalists can work without fear or pressure and enjoy fair treatment and stable working conditions. The IFJ calls on Taiwan's authorities to take action to protect press freedom and journalists’ rights.”
