TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A civil alliance of local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) was established on Thursday (Nov. 9) in Taiwan, coinciding with the introduction of a new ethical code for reporting on Taiwanese elections. This code emphasizes five key principles: fairness and accuracy in reporting, maintaining a professional tone, respecting privacy, and ensuring media transparency.
The ethical code was developed as part of a social mission to boost public trust in the media in the run-up to elections. It represents a collaborative effort of three NGOs: Reporters Without Borders (RSF), the Citizen Media Watch (CCMR), and the Taiwan Media Watch Foundation (TMW). This alliance has garnered widespread support from labor unions in the new media sector nationwide.
Cedric Alviani, director of the RSF Taipei Bureau, highlighted the major challenge facing Taiwanese media: low public trust. Despite Taiwan's relatively mature democratic system, the nation's unique geopolitical situation contributes to persistent societal issues such as political polarization, exaggerated reporting, and excessive commercialization of the media.
As the presidential campaigns intensify ahead of next year's election, Taiwanese media are under increasing pressure to meet their responsibilities. Alviani anticipates a rise in the number of media organizations across the nation joining this initiative.
Teng Hsi-hua, the Director of the Taiwan Media Watch Foundation, emphasized the importance of press freedom as a cornerstone of Taiwan's democracy. He warned that manipulative activities in news production and distribution during elections could have severe consequences, not just for the elections, but for the entire democratic environment in Taiwan.
