MASS MEDIA

The diversity of Taiwan’s media is reflected in the plethora of outlets and intense competition within the industry. The nation’s press operates in a media environment that is one of the freest in Asia.

Taiwan was ranked 42nd globally and second in Asia in the 2019 World Press Freedom Index released April 18 by France-based Reporters Without Borders (RSF). In the survey of 180 countries and territories, Taiwan trailed South Korea by one place, and finished ahead of Japan, 67th; Hong Kong, 73rd; Singapore, 151st; and China, 177th. Norway, Finland and Sweden topped the index, in that order.

Most types of media are engaged in an industrywide transition to digital forms of distribution.

Print editions of magazines and newspapers, including the four major dailies, continue to lose ground to internet competitors. Drawing on Taiwan’s strengths in information and communication technologies, e-publishing is injecting fresh vitality into their development as well as that of the local book publishing industry, which released 39,114 new titles last year.

Digitization of cable television has not only significantly improved the visual experience of viewers, but also unleashed more innovative and diverse broadband services. With digitization virtually completed, cable television has become an important platform for various multimedia applications.