Taiwan drops 23 places in international press freedom index (2009/10/21)
An Oct. 20 report by international media watchdog Reporters Without Borders dropped Taiwan s press freedom ranking 23 spots. The group condemned the ruling KMT for allegedly “undermining the influence of the public media.” It also lashed out against violence committed against journalists by both activists and the police during last year’s visit to Taiwan by ARATS Chairman Chen Yunlin.
Reporters Without Borders published its annual report on worldwide press freedom on Tuesday. Taiwan slipped 23 places to 59th and is now ranked behind Japan and Hong Kong.
Su Jun-pin
Cabinet Spokesman
It is possible that they have different interpretations regarding individual public incidents or topics, said Cabinet Spokesman Su Jun-pin. We will increase our communications, discussions and publicity. It’s our duty.
The report cited harm done by government interference in the media plus threats and violence against reporters as the two main reasons for Taiwan’s slide in the rankings.
Leon Chuang
Association of Taiwan Journalists
The political considerations in personnel decisions made by publicly run media outlets have been very serious. Placement marketing is an even more serious issue, said Association of Taiwan Journalists Director Leon Chuang.
Kuan Bi-ling
DPP Legislator
On a call-in (TV) show, we criticized stock-related issues concerning (Vice Premier) Eric Chu’s family. As soon as we had finished we cut to a commercial break. Immediately, top-level government officials called to make inquiries. There must be government monitoring. No wonder you have fallen 23 places.
In response, KMT legislators said that foreign watchdogs often use media reports as sources for their ratings, making it difficult for them to be objective. The lawmakers claim that Taiwan’s media freedom has not been suppressed and that the real problem is an overabundance of media outlets.
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