Luna Tian
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Luna Tian
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Human Rights and Ethics in the Forced Migration Coverage by Mainstream and Citizen Media in Hong Kong a Case Study of BBC and Initium Media

Research
anti-ELABForced MigrationHong KongMedia Studies
Copyright: BY-NC-ND 4.0
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Luna Tian

Introduction

In 2014, a 30-second video of Taiwan’s Legislative Council passing cross-strait service trade was widely circulated on Facebook, causing strong opposition. Taiwan’s students and NGOs stormed the Legislative Council venue and placed sunflowers from the supplies sent by the outside world on the podium. The bouquet subsequently became the focus of media attention, prompting the media to name it the Sunflower Movement. The movement sparked widespread participation among Taiwanese citizens. The services trade agreement was withdrawn, which affected the results of Taiwan’s nine-in-one general election at the end of that year (Hawang, 2016 & Zhang et al., 2015).

There are two special features of this movement:

  1. The participants are mainly young people familiar with Internet communication.
  2. The live footage of the occupation was sent by students using an iPad propped up by two blue and white slippers.

Afterward, alternative media composed of students and supporters became the leading voice channel in the movement, dominating the dissemination of information and topics, debate, and mobilizing participation. Finally, Taiwan’s younger generation learned about citizenship through this movement, formed a united collective, and developed their media skills and news literacy.

The movement demonstrates how people can fight and defend democracy through communication when political decisions conflict with their interests. Citizen media promote the development of journalism through their practices. These actions and practices later became part of Taiwan’s civic education, strengthening the healthy functioning of this emerging democratic society. Therefore, this case fits well with discussions in the course about the public sphere, collective identity, and the intersection of culture and politics.

Background

1. Reports from Taiwan’s Traditional and Mainstream Media

When discussing Taiwan’s mainstream media, we primarily refer to:

  • Four major newspapers:
    • United Daily News (UDN)
    • China Times
    • Liberty Times
    • Apple Daily
  • Six major television stations:
    • Taiwan Television (TTV)
    • China Television (CTV)
    • Chinese Television System (CTS)
    • Formosa TV (FTV)
    • SET News
    • EBC News

During the Sunflower Movement:

  • Apple Daily reported breaking news 24/7.
  • Liberty Times launched a new version of their e-newsletter and shared updates via Facebook.
  • United Daily News and China Times mainly used their websites for updates.

According to research (Fu & Zhang, 2017):

  • Apple Daily and Liberty Times were more positive.
  • UDN and China Times were more neutral.
  • Government-owned stations (TTV, CTV, CTS) were more conservative, describing protestors using terms like “radicals”.
  • Private stations (FTV, SET News) emphasized democratic values.

2. The Role of Alternative Media and Social Media

Holt (2019) defined alternative news media as outlets that challenge mainstream narratives.

Two categories in Taiwan:

  • Alternative online media:
    Watch Out, News e-Forum, Citizen Photography, Defense Democratic Front, Public Treasury
  • Social media/online action platforms:
    g0v, PTT, Sunflower International Department, Overseas 330 Action

Key characteristics:

  • The movement began with live broadcasting.
  • No “backstage pushers”—motivations were rooted in shared values and participatory journalism.

Notable individuals and contributions:

  • Mao Yimei (News e-Forum): emphasized teamwork.
  • Lin Zuyi: launched “Congress Unparalleled”.
  • Yang Juanru (Public Treasury): saw their work as issue communication.

Impact:

  • The famous 30-second video was produced by Watch Out.
  • News e-Forum posted over 1,200 reports, attracting 130,000 followers.
  • Citizen Photography Front livestreamed the protest.
  • Public Treasury produced 2,900 videos, later aired on PTS.

Global reach:

  • Facebook’s International Department translated and connected with overseas media.
  • A relay protest drew 30,000 people across 19 countries and 50 cities (Zhang et al., 2015).

Overall, the movement fostered greater media literacy, citizen awareness, and collaborative capacities.

Analysis

1. Relationship Between Mainstream and Alternative Media

  • Boundaries blurred—e.g., Watch Out content appeared in Apple Daily.
  • Public Treasury partnered with PTS’s Peopo.
  • Watch Out, Apple Daily, and Google jointly broadcasted “Ask Uncle Hui” with former President Lee Teng-hui.

The common goal: disseminate accurate information swiftly and widely (Zhang et al., 2015).

2. Criticism of Media Coverage

Mainstream media issues:

  • Bias: State-run stations prioritized ruling party narratives.
  • Timeliness: Traditional deadlines caused delay compared to student-led livestreaming.
  • Professionalism: Sensationalism over substance—e.g., obsession with Lin Feifan’s green coat.

Still, mainstream media also contributed through:

  • Cooperative content sharing.
  • Faster digital reporting.
  • Emotional connection via human interest pieces.

Alternative media strengths:

  • Higher professionalism.
  • Led the information flow.

But also flaws:

  • Limited viewpoint diversity; overwhelmingly pro-movement.
  • Lacked dialogue opportunities.
  • Social media fueled infighting and miscommunication.

Even in democracies, media can distort or interfere in politics—vigilance is required.

Discussion

Engaging in social movements is a powerful form of experiential learning.

In the Sunflower Movement:

  • Alternative media demonstrated self-discipline, news production, and public engagement.
  • Helped supplement traditional media gaps.
  • Cultivated active citizenship and became part of civic education.

Youth in Taiwan:

  • Raised with democratic values.
  • Disillusioned by economic stagnation and political uncertainty.
  • Internet-savvy and quick to mobilize.
  • Gained clarity in identity and beliefs.
  • Engaged in open dialogue and content creation online.

Cooperation between media types:

  • Mainstream media: Broader audience.
  • Alternative media: Faster, more engaged.
  • Mutual learning improved reporting quality.

The movement showcased:

  • Dialogues between mainstream and alternative media
  • Dialogues between citizens
  • Dialogues between citizens and government

Though not without conflict, these dialogues enabled consensus and illustrate the essence of democratic deepening.

References

  • Fu, W., & Zhang, P. (2017). 「太陽花學運」的新聞框架分析：以《聯合報》、《中國時報》、《自由時報》和《蘋果日報》頭版為例. 慈濟通識教育學刊, 11(11), 74–107. https://doi.org/10.6755/tcjge.201703_(11).0003

  • Holt, K., Ustad Figenschou, T., & Frischlich, L. (2019). Key Dimensions of Alternative News Media. Digital Journalism, 7(7), 860–869. https://doi.org/10.1080/21670811.2019.1625715

  • Hawang, S. (2016). The Influence of the Sunflower Movement on the Civic Movement in Taiwan. Studia Z Polityki Publicznej, 3(4(12)), 103–133. https://doi.org/10.33119/kszpp.2016.4.5

  • Huang, J.-S. (2017). Between Citizen Journalism and Democracy: Take “Sun Flower Movement” as Example [MSc Thesis].

  • Liu, S.-C. (2017). Mediating the Sunflower Movement: Hybrid Media Networks in a Digital Age. 資訊社會研究, 33(07), 147–188.

  • Zhang, J., Chen, S., & Wu, B. (2015). 我是公民也是媒體 (I am a citizen and a media). 大塊文化出版股份有限公司.

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