When most of our news now comes through social media feeds, integrity often takes a back seat. Behind many of these headlines lie undisclosed interests and algorithms that decide what we see, as well as what we don’t. So how do we know if the information we consume is accurate, balanced, and truly in the public’s interest? In this episode, Harry Lock, Head of Content and Engagement at the Public Media Alliance, shares why public service media still matter, the challenges they face in the age of Big Tech, and what’s at stake if they disappear.

NIO and Moe are back to perhaps toe the line with food opinions!  We're so sorry for making you hungry this episode!  Follow Moe on IG @moodidude and NIO @niofletcher!

Night markets are one of the most important parts of Taiwanese culture!Whether it is a weekday or a weekend evening, people enjoy strolling through these lively spots where so many food stalls and vendors gather. This week, we’ll learn some essential words related to the night market.   ●Words to Know: 1. 踅夜市 se̍h iā-tshī (phr.) to go to the night market 2. 鹹酥雞 kiâm-soo-ke (n.) Taiwanese fried chicken 3. 煙腸 ian-tshiâng (n.) sausage 4. 擔 tànn (n.) a stall 5. 拍珠仔 phah tsu-á (phr.) play pinball   ●Idiom of the week: 三跤步一坎店。Sann kha-pōo tsi̍t khám tiàm. (Every three steps, there’s a small shop.)

Welcome to another episode of Status Update!  I am back from my vacation and it is time to catch up with what i've missed! So we start with some letters right away and move on to the loads of emails waiting for me.  If you would like to contact us and have your message read on air, please send a letter to P.O. BOX 123, 199 Taipei, Taiwan, or email us at English@rti.org.tw. You can also reach us on social media: Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram at @Rtienglish.

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Today we're warming up for our final theme of the year, our Fall Freakout-- where we watch and discuss Taiwanese horror movies, or horror movies that heavily feature Taiwan, that you may have missed on your radar. Today in the studio, I've invited back Retro Reels host Hanna Bilinski to discuss what we can learn about Taiwan, and what Taiwanese society fears, from watching Taiwanese horror films! As someone who just finished her own Ghost Month horror theme and as a movie buff in general, Hanna shares her insight into Taiwan's history of colonial violence, and how Buddhism, and a fear of what wrongs can be perpetrated against you, haunt the genre.

A petition with over 10,000 signatures wasn't enough to comprehensively ban the wild boar snares in Taiwan. In this episode of Formosa Fauna we sit down with Dr. Chengheng Hu again to understand why Taiwan's Central Election Commission rejected the proposal, how Taiwan One Ecology Colation (TOEC) took the news, and what the coalition is going to do moving forward. Have thoughts on today's episode? Send an email to tristan@rti.org.tw. See you every week for Formosa Fauna Fridays!

Hello and welcome to today's episode featuring Holly! In this discussion, we'll explore Holly's journey with music, including how she was surrounded by it from a young age and began learning to play the piano and guitar. We'll delve into her experience in a band and how she transitioned between the two instruments. Holly will also share her role in a monthly improv show, including her preparation process for each performance. Finally, we'll talk about how her friends encouraged her to set up social media accounts so others could discover her music and the journey of recording the ideas and making them come to life!  Holly Mak was born and raised in Hong Kong, and has also lived in the UK and Canada before basing herself in Taiwan. A lover of music from a young age, Holly grew up playing piano and picked up the guitar as a teenager. In this time she discovered genres like alternative rock, jazz, and folk, all of which have made an impact on her playing style. Over the years Holly...