Taiwan

Taiwan stands out as a beacon of press freedom in Asia, ranking 24th out of 180 in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF), with a score of 77.04—first in East Asia and second in the Asia-Pacific region. Classified as “satisfactory,” Taiwan boasts a liberal media environment with diverse outlets, aggressive reporting on government policies, and no systemic violence or killings of journalists in recent years, including 2025-2026.

Unlike regional neighbors facing killings, detentions, or impunity, Taiwan reports no journalist murders or major physical attacks tied to work. RSF notes a “relatively positive situation” with “lack of systemic security issues.” Challenges include strong political polarization, sensationalism, profit-driven coverage, verbal attacks, lawsuits (often SLAPPs), and occasional politician disparagement of media.

Online harassment and threats exist, sometimes politically encouraged, contributing to declining public trust (33% in 2025 Reuters survey, among lowest in democracies). Disinformation from China poses indirect risks, pressuring media independence. Rare government pressures, like funding cuts to TaiwanPlus, drew RSF criticism, but overall impunity for violence is negligible. Taiwan’s robust protections contrast sharply with global trends, safeguarding independent journalism amid geopolitical tensions.