(Taiwan, 8th) — A British journalist based in Taiwan believes that the once passionate and rational space for public discussion in Taiwan has been replaced by extreme rhetoric and political mobilization, with newsrooms subjected to political interference. He and his family became targets of attack, and, unable to bear it any longer, decided to leave.
According to Taiwan's United Daily News, Ed Moon, former senior editor at Taiwanese public English-language media TaiwanPlus, recently published an article titled '(My) Great Taiwan Recall', revealing that he and his family bought one-way tickets and returned to the UK at the end of July.
Having lived in Taiwan for over 10 years, Moon recalls how a report criticizing US President Trump was inappropriately withdrawn, giving him firsthand experience of political pressure interfering with the newsroom and sparking thoughts of leaving.
The recent Great Recall further solidified his decision to leave Taiwan. He believes that although on the surface the Great Recall has distanced itself from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and is operated under the name of 'civil groups,' it is nevertheless fully accepted by many pro-green (pro-DPP) commentators. He questions: among these so-called 'civil groups,' how many are actually DPP supporters? Or even party members?
Moon also criticizes how the recall wave has been combined with actions targeting Chinese spouses. The government, although not making new laws, has acted by reinterpreting existing regulations, a departure from past practices and lacking due process. He also mentioned that some recall advocates have even openly studied the Nazis, hoping to 'find a group to play the role of Jews.'
What made it unbearable for him was that simply because he strove for balance in his editorial work—allowing for the appearance of a few voices different from the official narrative—he and his family became targets of attacks by extremists.
Moon says that, caught between journalistic professionalism, colleagues' safety, and family pressures, he could no longer cope. He stated bluntly: 'I do not believe Taiwan is moving in the right direction.'
According to Taiwan's United Daily News, Ed Moon, former senior editor at Taiwanese public English-language media TaiwanPlus, recently published an article titled '(My) Great Taiwan Recall', revealing that he and his family bought one-way tickets and returned to the UK at the end of July.
Having lived in Taiwan for over 10 years, Moon recalls how a report criticizing US President Trump was inappropriately withdrawn, giving him firsthand experience of political pressure interfering with the newsroom and sparking thoughts of leaving.
The recent Great Recall further solidified his decision to leave Taiwan. He believes that although on the surface the Great Recall has distanced itself from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and is operated under the name of 'civil groups,' it is nevertheless fully accepted by many pro-green (pro-DPP) commentators. He questions: among these so-called 'civil groups,' how many are actually DPP supporters? Or even party members?
Moon also criticizes how the recall wave has been combined with actions targeting Chinese spouses. The government, although not making new laws, has acted by reinterpreting existing regulations, a departure from past practices and lacking due process. He also mentioned that some recall advocates have even openly studied the Nazis, hoping to 'find a group to play the role of Jews.'
What made it unbearable for him was that simply because he strove for balance in his editorial work—allowing for the appearance of a few voices different from the official narrative—he and his family became targets of attacks by extremists.
Moon says that, caught between journalistic professionalism, colleagues' safety, and family pressures, he could no longer cope. He stated bluntly: 'I do not believe Taiwan is moving in the right direction.'