Michael In Taiwan | Taiwaneers

Media Bias and Cultural Bonds Between Taiwan and the West

Sep 182011

Sitting at my desk earlier this week I was getting everything all nice and organized. Adjusting my chair height to find the perfect level of ergonomic comfort, trying different tilts of the monitor to compensate for the ever so slight crick in my neck, and of course setting everything up within my web browser to be just the way I want it.

I decided that I wanted my bookmark toolbar to have Google Translate, Grooveshark, my company’s online database, probably a few other things that are slipping my mind right now, plus a few RSS feeds for news. First off, I gave myself a Detnews feed to keep tabs on all my bros back home…shout out to the Tigers, Lions, Mayor Bing, Governor Snyder, Majority Leader Richardville, and Speaker Bolger. Then I decided to get some local news action going. It was here that I faced a choice of party, of conscience, of truth. Should I go for an RSS feed from the Taipei Times or the China Post? Both are English language newspapers, based here in Taipei and cover local as well as international news. But…clang of cymbals in the opera that is my life…both are not 同樣的事情.

Up till this past week I’d never even considered caring to read either of these newspapers on a regular basis. I’ve tried caring about what they’ve written before, but I’m always extremely underwhelmed by the reporting, particularly the writing, of both organizations…no offense to either of them intended…and to my friends who work at these news outlets I mean no disrespect. I know you all aren’t the problem. Now that I faced sitting at a desk for several hours every day, I figured I might as well be prepared to waste a little time reading some local news and break up the monotony that was sure to occur during the coming months.

I went to both newspapers’ websites and read some articles and tried to judge which newspaper would be awarded the coveted RSS feed spot on my bookmark toolbar. During my reading I came across the same politically charged story, with each news organizations’ spin added respectively. The story was incredibly different, depending on which newspaper was read.

Yes people. Even though Mandarin Chinese news organizations are the mainstream news sources here in Taiwan, somehow on this tiny little island, with a total population of 23 million, political bias has penetrated even the English (second-language), niche market of news outlets. One newspaper with a bias towards the KMT, and one towards the DPP.

For those of you unfamiliar with Taiwan politics, the KMT is the political party of Sun Yat Sen (Taiwan’s version of George Washington), Chiang Kai Shek (the President of Taiwan and leader of the army when the capitalists fled China in the 50s), and all but one of Taiwan’s President’s up till now. The DPP is the opposition party who have held the Presidency only once when Chen Shui Bian won the Presidency and served two terms right before the current President, KMT party leader Ma Ying Jeou. The main difference between the two parties, at least from what my limited observations have seen, is their policy towards mainland China.

I’ve known for some time which of these newspapers had which slant, but reading the same story from both back-to-back was pretty funny. See for yourself.

Here is the story as reported by the Taipei Times: link

And here is the same story as reported by the China Post: link

Isn’t that brilliant? Even more shocking: this article, which would seem to be pretty big news for Taiwan, doesn’t even get reported on in the China Post…or at least I couldn’t find it.

In closing I’d just like to make a few statements.

News reports are biased. Politicians are egomaniacs. Actions speak louder than words. Some things are universal.

Islands, Triathlons, and Product Endorsements

Michael's Posts, Taiwan, Travel & Exploring 2 Responses »

Jun 242011

Well, much has happened since the previous post, following the trend of late. We are now preparing to leave for the United States for summer break. A few weeks ago our roommate Lisa moved back to the US to pursue a grad degree and she was replaced in the house by a dude from the US that is here to learn Chinese. Rob is a cool guy and a great addition to the house. At least for the present our little abode remains all-American, except for the cat. One thing has changed however: now I am officially the only member of the house that speaks next to no Chinese. Speaking of languages I’ve decided that Chinese is way too useful and therefore ineligible to qualify as something I should learn. Instead I’ve decided to focus on a language that is only spoken by about 12.1 million people and is increasingly illogical to learn because speakers of it are speaking more and more English. Join me and enjoy lesson 1 below:

Pretty cool huh? Shout out to SadSushi for his great video!

About a week ago I ran in my first Triathlon with friends. We had trained for about a month (well they did, I barely got out at all) and it was great to finish something that we were all looking forward to. How did I do? 1.5K swim, 40k bike, and 10k run in the town of Luodong, near Yilan, with a total time of 3 hours 14 minutes…yes I know, improvement is needed. Actually my crappy time is motivating and the feeling of accomplishment makes me want to do another one soon. I thought I would like the Triathlon format of multiple events and I did. All the transitions gave me boosts of energy knowing that I’d completed another leg of the race. One of the biggest changes in my life since the day of the Tri is that now, when I introduce myself to people I say: “Hi my name is Michael and I am a Triathlete.” Seriously though, the desire to do a Triathlon first got into me around the age of sixteen when my Aunt Mary Ellen took me to one and told me that I could do it if I wanted to. You are inspiring Aunt Mary Ellen!

Okay so this next section is dedicated to our friend Ginger and her new business Penghu Breeze. Penghu is a collection of islands owned by Taiwan in the middle of the Taiwan Strait. “The Taiwanese Hawaii” is one of the ways that we mainlanders (Taiwan mainland that is) refer to Penghu because it is an island paradise…and I say that with conviction. Em and I decided to have a long weekend trip to visit Ginger and experience another amazing part of Taiwan. For those of you who have never been to Penghu, go. For those of you who have, help me convince everyone else. Penghu is so relaxed. My sister, who lives on one of Taiwan’s other islands, was awesome enough to join Emily and I, which, made it all the more fun. During our stay in Penghu we camped on the beach, snorkeled, bbq’d, drove around to see the sights, watched the gov’t sponsored fireworks, met really cool folks, and took advantage of the sun to get started on our summer tans. Ginger is a great host! Penghu Breeze is a business she started to help foreigners with little or no Chinese book their accommodations and activities when in Penghu. And let me tell you she does a great job. Sorry for the shameless advertising but dang she is good. She knows the best places to surf, snorkel, rent scooters, eat, and stay. Plus, she’s fun to hang out with. One of the coolest things she’s got going is her western bbq package. For those of you who live here in Taiwan, you know that when people suggest bbq’ing it means different food stuffs than what we Americans normally associate with bbq. Well Ginger has fixed that and serves up burgers, beer, and all the great stuff that we waiguoren crave! And it is all enjoyed on the roof of her guesthouse overlooking the ocean, across the street from the beach. WON…DER…FUL…!!!!

Okay so now you know we fully endorse Ginger, Penghu Breeze, trips to Penghu, and Triathlons…and learning languages that are more obscure than mullets.

Crazy Americans in the Library

Michael's Posts, University 2 Responses »

Mar 252011

For the few of you out there that missed the UCLA girl’s crazy rant about “Asians in the library” this post is for you:

I live in Asia and our library is relatively quiet at MCU. Actually I’d say the loudest people are the international and exchange students from America, Africa, Europe and various islands. Go figure.

As an American I feel like I should be sad and disappointed in this girl but as a human being I can’t help but smile and laugh and think about how hilarious it is that she was dumb enough to put this up on YouTube with her own face and voice attached to it. In this day and age she may well never even be able to get a job. Her punishment will most likely be way worse than her crime…not that I agree with her…I just sympathize with the fact that young people often make mistakes like this…and hers is glaring…poor girl…glaring and hilarious!

The below does have vulgarity (you have been warned). Even so, I am a big fan! It is my new ringtone and I can’t wait to walk around my Asian surroundings and get calls. Oh, Oh, Ching Chong Ling Long Ting Tong – - Oh, Oh!