Reporter's Notebook

Social Media News Editor Sara Conway walks us through the top-performing Instagram reels from the past two months, and one moment stood out. In eastern Taiwan, our crew captured a man being pulled from deep mud after flooding — a reel that drew nearly two million views. Sara shares the back story behind the shoot and how our crew called for help. Here are the top performing Instagram reels (and on...

Reporter John Van Trieste looks at why accidents on Taiwan’s fishing boats remain so common, with nearly half of recent marine incidents involving the fleet and most deaths tied to fishing vessels. For World Fisheries Day, he speaks with survivors, advocates, and safety inspectors about the biggest risks on board — from dangerous wiring to missing life jackets — and what authorities say they’re do...

Tech reporter Chris Gorin brings us inside Google’s launch of its new Taipei R&D office — now the company’s largest AI infrastructure engineering hub outside the U.S. The move marks a major investment and underscores a growing trend of American tech giants expanding in Taiwan as its central role in the global AI supply chain becomes increasingly clear. Chris also talks about some of the trends...

Reporter Sandy Chi sits down with Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting, who made history by winning Taiwan’s first Olympic boxing gold at the 2024 Paris Games. Sandy first met her during pre-Olympics athlete profiles and quickly saw the qualities that define her: stubbornness, bravery and open-mindedness. They talk about Lin’s new book, “Dreams Weigh More Than Pain,” which traces her journey from training...

Reporter Alan Lu examines Taiwan’s growing concerns over the security risks posed by Chinese-made AI models like DeepSeek. Analysts warn these tools can harvest far more than search queries—potentially collecting data that reveals political leanings or even biometric identifiers such as fingerprints and facial features. Testing the model himself, Alan found it echoed Beijing’s stance on Taiwan’s s...

In today’s Reporter’s Notebook, producer Alec MacDonald shares highlights from two recent field episodes of Zoom In Zoom Out: Taiwan’s move to end dolphin performances and an exclusive sit-down with Olympic boxer Lin Yu-ting. He also talks about future plans which will take the program back to Hualien to investigate the plight of farmers affected by recent flooding and year-plans to bring the prod...

Alec MacDonald, producer and occasional host of Zoom In Zoom Out, reflects on how he built the show’s network of expert voices — and why thoughtful interviews deepen our understanding of Taiwan’s interconnected stories. Alec also looks back on his first on-location interview, a return to his National Dong Hwa University campus where he once witnessed a building burn after the 2024 earthquake. -- H...

Reporter Tiffany Wong discusses her takeaways from a visit to Malaysia covering Taipei’s New Southbound policy to strengthen ties with partners in South and Southeast Asia. Her series of reports included historical connections, food and travel, agricultural cooperation, education links and of course the world of tech. Watch Tiffany’s reports from Malaysia: Taiwanese Businesses Enter the Halal Mark...

TaiwanPlus reporter Bryn Thomas steps into the world of NTW — Taiwan’s up-and-coming professional wrestling league — where athleticism meets theater. Drawing on his own background in Greco-Roman and Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Bryn explores how local wrestlers bring storytelling and character work to the ring. He talks about a rare opportunity to interview Japanese wrestling legend Jaguar Yokota, once ha...

In part two of our conversation with producer David Santos, we move from his early years reporting in Mindanao’s conflict zones to the craft of storytelling. Santos shares how he now trains reporters to step in front of the camera and deliver what we call a “Piece to Camera (PTC).” He explains why these moments matter — not just for style, but for credibility. He also recalls one unforgettable PTC...

Before joining TaiwanPlus, producer David Santos spent years on the front lines in the southern Philippines. As a reporter to some of the most conflict-ridden parts of Mindanao, he covered clashes between government troops, rebel groups, and terror organizations—stories that often left civilians trapped in the crossfire. Yet amid tragedy, there were moments of purpose. Reporting on disasters like...

Reporter Ai Chi takes us behind the scenes at a recent textile trade show in Taipei, revealing how Taiwan’s world-leading textile sector is embracing advanced manufacturing technology to stay ahead of the game commercially and also become more environmentally sustainable. Watch Ai Chi's report: Taiwan’s Textile Sector Innovates to Stay Ahead >) -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Taiwan is on the cusp of becoming a super-aged society, joining countries such as Japan, South Korea, Germany, and Italy. Today, in Reporter’s Notebook, John Van Trieste talks about how Taiwan is tackling the issue of seniors with mental health needs. Watch: Activity Centers Bring Awareness to Caring for Senior Citizens’ Mental Health  -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Singapore and Taiwan haven’t had official relations since 1990 but the two remain closely tied through business exchanges. And as the global economy faces uncertainties, parties from both sides are working together to overcome new challenges. TaiwanPlus reporter Isabel Wang recently traveled to Singapore to discover how Taiwanese are making their mark in the city-state's startup and business world...

On October 25, 1945, the defeated Empire of Japan gave up control of Taiwan, an island it had ruled for 50 years, to the Republic of China, turning Taiwanese from imperial subjects to citizens of a republic overnight. Eighty years later, Taiwan has undergone monumental changes, yet the significance of Retrocession Day remains complex and even controversial. Bryn Thomas discusses his latest reports...

Former Human Rights Desk reporter Reece Ayers shares what visitors can expect at Taipei Pride this weekend. He also examines the challenges still facing Taiwan’s LGBTQ+ community and reflects on what it was like covering Taiwanese drag performer Nymphia Wind’s historic win on RuPaul’s Drag Race. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Anchor and line producer Yvonne Yang takes us inside a live broadcast—how she preps to go live and what contingency drills taught her after a real on-air scramble. Pacing, pronunciation and writing scripts for broadcast (not print) are just a few of the skills she’s learned along the way. -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Culture and society reporter Sandy Chi revisits the history of Taiwan’s Golden Bell Awards via a 60th-anniversary exhibition in Taipei. She also talks about a family connection—her grandmother won a Golden Bell Award in 1982. Sandy reflects on what the awards mean today and how broadcasting legacies continue to resonate across generations. Watch Sandy’s report: Exhibit Explores History of Golden B...

Bryn Thomas shares what he learned while producing a series on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II—including how many Taiwanese men were conscripted into Japan’s forces and died in the bloody Battle of Okinawa. With scarce archives and fading memories, Bryn reveals why their stories were long overlooked and how his team is working to preserve them before they’re lost to time. Listen to...

When Typhoon Ragasa tore through eastern Taiwan, Irene Lin from the TaiwanPlus climate desk was among the first journalists to reach Guangfu Township — a community left isolated after a natural dam burst in the mountains. Standing in ankle-deep mud beside shattered storefronts and wrecked homes, Irene met residents who invited her in to tell their stories — people who had lost nearly everything bu...

Journalist Leslie Liao pulls back the curtain on anchoring Taiwan’s National Day broadcast — three hours of live performances, ceremony, and the president’s address. He shares how he and co-host Betty Chen prep to narrate the action, weave in context for global viewers, and pivot as cameras cut from honor guards and flyovers to student performances and the giant flag pass. Hear why timing, teamwor...

Journalist Cadence Quaranta takes us inside one of Taiwan’s unique “dementia villages,” where residents live in community-centered spaces designed to help them age with dignity, connection, and local culture. This moving feature explores how Taiwan is responding to the challenges of an aging society — and what other countries might learn from its approach. Watch the full report: Aging Locally: Ins...