World Press Freedom Index is an annual report released by the international non-governmental organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF) on the status of press freedom in 180 countries. Its 2026 report, released on April 30, found that press freedom around the world is at a 25-year low. 

Our guest today is Aleksandra Bielakowska, Advocacy Manager of RSF’s Asia-Pacific bureau and President of the RSF Taiwan Chapter. In this episode, we walk through the latest global findings, the reasons behind the decrease of press freedom in Asia, China’s growing media influence abroad, and the current threats to Taiwan’s media landscape. Key points: 
World Press Freedom is at the lowest since RSF began tracking in 2002. This year, 94 countries (52.2%) are in a “difficult” or “very serious” situation 
Across Asia, authoritarianism and repressive policies from democratic countries have fueled the declines of press freedom in places like Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Vietnam.
China has increased its state-media presence across the world, and targeted foreign press agencies in countries like Denmark and the Philippines with harassment campaigns.
Although Taiwan’s press freedom remains highly-ranked (28th), its score dropped by four places (from 24th), due to deepening political polarization, economic troubles, and ongoing Chinese disinformation

Learn more about Reporters Without Borders and explore their work on global press freedom, including their disinformation tracking initiative, “The Propaganda Monitor”. 

RSF’s photojournalist exhibition, “Shooting the World of Tomorrow”, is currently on display at the Alliance Française de Taïwan (台灣法國文化協會) until June 30. Address: 2F, No. 107, Section 4, Roosevelt Rd, Da’an District, Taipei City.

EPISODE CREDIT | Producer, Emily Y. Wu @emilyywu | Host, Zack Chiang | Audio Editing, Wayne Tsai | Research, Albert Chang-Yoo | Production Assistance, Teagan Wangaard

Support us by donating on patreon.com/Taiwan

Follow us on Twitter @ghostislandme

A Ghost Island Media production | www.ghostisland.media

<a href="https://rsf.org/en/index?year">World Press Freedom Index</a> is an annual report released by the international non-governmental organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF) on the status of press freedom in 180 countries. Its 2026 report, released on April 30, found that press freedom around the world is at a 25-year low. Our guest today is&nbsp;Aleksandra Bielakowska, Advocacy Manager of RSF&rsquo;s Asia-Pacific bureau and President of the RSF Taiwan Chapter. In this episode, we walk through the latest global findings, the reasons behind the decrease of press freedom in Asia, China&rsquo;s growing media influence abroad, and the current threats to Taiwan&rsquo;s media landscape. Key points:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">World Press Freedom is at the lowest since RSF began tracking in 2002. This year, 94 countries (52.2%) are in a &ldquo;difficult&rdquo; or &ldquo;very serious&rdquo; situation&nbsp;</li>
<li aria-level="1">Across Asia, authoritarianism and repressive policies from democratic countries have fueled the declines of press freedom in places like Indonesia, Hong Kong, and Vietnam.</li>
<li aria-level="1">China has increased its state-media presence across the world, and targeted foreign press agencies in countries like Denmark and the Philippines with harassment campaigns.</li>
<li aria-level="1">Although Taiwan&rsquo;s press freedom remains highly-ranked (28th), its score dropped by four places (from 24th), due to deepening political polarization, economic troubles, and ongoing Chinese disinformation</li>
</ul>
Learn more about&nbsp;<a href="https://rsf.org/en/who-are-we">Reporters Without Borders</a> and explore their work on global press freedom, including their disinformation tracking initiative, &ldquo;<a href="https://rsf.org/en/propaganda-monitor">The Propaganda Monitor</a>&rdquo;.&nbsp;
RSF&rsquo;s photojournalist exhibition, &ldquo;Shooting the World of Tomorrow&rdquo;, is currently on display at the Alliance Fran&ccedil;aise de Ta&iuml;wan (台灣法國文化協會) until June 30. Address: 2F, No. 107, Section 4, Roosevelt Rd, Da&rsquo;an District, Taipei City.
EPISODE CREDIT | Producer, Emily Y. Wu <a href="https://twitter.com/emilyywu">@emilyywu</a> | Host, Zack Chiang | Audio Editing, Wayne Tsai | Research, Albert Chang-Yoo | Production Assistance, Teagan Wangaard
Support us by donating on <a href="http://patreon.com/taiwan">patreon.com/Taiwan</a>
Follow us on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/ghostislandme">@ghostislandme</a>
A Ghost Island Media production | <a href="https://ghostisland.media/">www.ghostisland.media</a>

A current affairs podcast on Taiwan and the world. Every episode, we invite a journalist to a conversation with an expert to get the big picture context of what we need to know. These are global issues, and this is The Taiwan Take. 

Nominated for Best News Podcast at 2020 Excellent Journalism Award in Taiwan. Produced by Ghost Island Media in Taipei, Taiwan.

2020年台灣卓越新聞獎 Podcast 新聞獎入圍者．這是一個專門討論臺灣時事的訪談性英文節目， 以「縱觀世界議題，以臺灣觀點論述」為主軸，由記者採訪跨領域專家、名人與來賓等，第一手將臺灣的故事推向國際．

鬼島之音製作播出．

A current affairs podcast on Taiwan and the world. Every episode, we invite a journalist to a conversation with an expert to get the big picture context of what we need to know. These are global issues, and this is The Taiwan Take. Nominated for Best News Podcast at 2020 Excellent Journalism Award in Taiwan.&nbsp;Produced by Ghost Island Media in Taipei, Taiwan. 2020年台灣卓越新聞獎 Podcast 新聞獎入圍者．這是一個專門討論臺灣時事的訪談性英文節目， 以「縱觀世界議題，以臺灣觀點論述」為主軸，由記者採訪跨領域專家、名人與來賓等，第一手將臺灣的故事推向國際． 鬼島之音製作播出．