After the deterioration of Beijing''s relationship with international media, Taiwan has seen an influx of new foreign reporters. In 2020, 34 foreign journalists moved to Taiwan. Media experts say that Taiwan''s press freedom makes it an attractive alternative to the increasingly hostile media environment in China.
In 2020 Beijing cracked down on visas for foreign reporters. When an Australian reporter and his family were told they were banned from leaving the country, widespread unease broke out throughout foreign media in China. Taiwan''s foreign minister Joseph Wu tweeted a warm welcome to journalists being chased out of China, and that welcome has been enthusiastically taken up, with Taiwan welcoming an influx of reporters.
Nicholas Haggerty
Journalist and editor
The virus, I''m sure, was a factor. But I think that the visa issue forced their hand. I mean, there was, you know, they had no choice but to move to Taipei. Perhaps they could have moved to other countries in the region. But Taiwan certainly is the most prominent Chinese-speaking country close to China, that would allow for the continued reporting on Chinese affairs, and affairs in the entire Chinese-speaking world.
Figures show that last year 34 new foreign reporters took up residence in Taiwan, bringing the total to 124 across 71 companies. Government support seems to be working. In 2020, Taiwan once more won the highest grade in the annual "Freedom in the Press" awards, judged by U.S. democratic advocacy group Freedom House. China received the lowest rating, zero. Many media outlets have switched their Chinese-language base from China to Taiwan.
Nicholas Haggerty
Journalist and editor
There hasn''t yet been the full removal of an entire bureau to Taipei. There have been several high-profile journalists who are working in China, like of the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post, who have moved to Taipei.
Voice of Joanne Ou
Foreign ministry spokeswoman
The foreign ministry is delighted to see more international media outlets choosing Taiwan as a base for their reporters. We will continue to maintain good working relationships with foreign media organizations to increase the global visibility of Taiwan.
The growth of international news media in Taiwan represents an achievement in terms of freedom of the press, but also a win for its handling of the pandemic, and a harbinger of Beijing''s worsening international relations.
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