TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Taiwan surged eight spots to No. 27 in the latest edition of the World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) on Friday (May 3).

While the country looks like a model of press freedom in the Asia Pacific, RSF also quoted a Reuters Institute survey from 2022 indicating that only 28% of people trusted the media, the lowest level for the region. The report blamed the lack of trust on the impact of disinformation by China, per Radio Taiwan International (RTI).

Other regional models of press freedom ahead of Taiwan were New Zealand falling six spots to No. 19, Timor-Leste at No. 20, and Samoa at No. 22, RSF said. Worldwide, Scandinavian countries topped the list, with Norway top followed by Denmark and Sweden.

Behind Taiwan, Australia was ranked No. 39, South Korea No. 62, and Japan No. 70. Hong Kong moved up to No. 135 and China rose seven places to No.172 out of 180 territories listed. This was not because their situations had improved but because freedom of the press in other countries suffered more significant setbacks.

In its remarks about Taiwan, RSF said the country respected the principles of media freedom but its journalists “still suffer from a very polarized media environment dominated by sensationalism and the pursuit of profit.”

While pointing out the country’s “rich media environment” with 600 television and radio broadcasters serving 23 million people, RSF noted that journalists worked under pressure from boardrooms and failed to enjoy effective legal protection against unethical demands.