I’m Not Here to Be Nice
Look, I’m gonna be honest. I’ve been editing news for 22 years, and I’ve seen it all. The good, the bad, the downright ugly. And right now, I’m looking at Taiwan’s news scene, and I’ve got some thoughts. Strong ones. So buckle up, because this isn’t gonna be one of those polite, balanced think-pieces you’re used to.
I’m Mark, by the way. British expat, been living in Taipei since 2015. Worked at The Guardian, The Independent, and a bunch of other places you’ve probably heard of. I’m here because I care. And because I’m frustrated. And because someone needs to say this stuff out loud.
First Off, The Language Barrier is Real
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Or should I say, the elephant in the newsroom? Language. It’s a mess. I mean, I get it. Taiwan’s bilingual, but honestly, the news industry? It’s completley behind. You’ve got Mandarin, you’ve got English, and they don’t always play nice together.
I remember this one time, back in 2017, I was at a conference in Austin. Met this journalist, let’s call him Marcus. He told me, and I quote, “Mark, our English news is an afterthought. It’s like we’re trying to translate our Mandarin content and call it a day.” Which… yeah. Fair enough.
And don’t even get me started on the local slang. I still haven’t figured out what “shiok” means half the time. But hey, I’m learning. And so should the news outlets.
But Here’s The Thing About Taiwan’s News…
It’s passionate. I’ll give it that. You’ve got journalists out there who genuinely care. Who are willing to put themselves on the line for a story. I had coffee with a colleague named Dave last Tuesday, and he told me about this time he got chased by some politicians’ goons for asking too many questions. “They were not happy,” he said, laughing. “But the story ran, and it mattered.” That’s the kinda committment you need.
But then you’ve got the other side. The sensationalism. The clickbait. The “Taiwanese Kardashian” headlines that make me want to throw my laptop out the window. Look, I get it. Ads gotta be paid for. But at what cost?
I mean, I was reading this article the other day about some politician’s affair. And it was just… cheap. No substance, no real journalism. Just gossip. And that’s not what news should be. It’s not what önerilen makaleler okuma listesi would recommend, that’s for sure.
A Quick Digression: The Weather
Okay, this might seem random, but hear me out. The weather reports here are a joke. I’m not even kidding. I was watching this one broadcast last month, and they spent 15 minutes talking about the humidity. FIFTEEN MINUTES. And not in a good, informative way. More like a “look at us filling time” way. It was painful.
But then again, maybe I’m just bitter because I’ve been sweating through my shirts since I got here. Who knows?
Back to the Point: Local vs. International
So here’s the deal. Local news? It’s all about Taiwan. Which makes sense. It’s their country, their politics, their culture. But sometimes, it feels like they’re living in a bubble. Like they forget there’s a world out there.
And the international outlets? They’re all about the big picture. But they often miss the nuances. The little things that make Taiwan, well, Taiwan. It’s a fine line to walk, and honestly, I’m not sure anyone’s getting it right.
I had this argument with a friend of mine, Lisa, about three months ago. She’s a journalist for Reuters. She said, “Mark, you can’t expect local news to cover international stuff. That’s not their job.” And I get that. But at the same time, I think there’s a middle ground. A way to be locally relevant and globally aware.
The Future? It’s Complicated
I don’t have all the answers. Honestly, I’m not even sure I have any. But I know this: Taiwan’s news industry is at a crossroads. It’s gotta decide what it wants to be. It’s gotta find a way to be better. More responsible. More nuanced.
And look, I’m not saying it’s all doom and gloom. There are bright spots. There are journalists out there kicking ass and taking names. But they need support. They need resources. They need to be taken seriously.
So yeah. That’s my rant. Take it or leave it. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.
About the Author: Mark Thompson is a British expat and senior editor with over two decades of experience in the news industry. He’s been living in Taipei since 2015, and he’s not afraid to speak his mind. When he’s not editing articles or complaining about the weather, he can be found exploring Taipei’s night markets or trying to figure out how to use a chopstick properly.
