Taiwan News Junkie

The top story of the day: an announcement from Taiwan President Lai Ching-te to announce his intention to spend US$40 billion to protect Taiwan from an attack. In the Wednesday, Nov. 26 edition of the show, we bring you the details. Plus: Assignment editor Chia Chang walks us through the decision-making process that saw our team pivot to covering a surprise late-morning press conference.  Reporter...

Let me Google that for you. In the Monday, Nov. 24 edition of the show, Charlie Storrar and Andrew Ryan learn more about the company’s expanded footprint in Taiwan. Plus: Top Story: Taiwan begins mailing civil defense handbooks to everyone in the country. Plus, Assignment Editor Jeremy Olivier explains why China has escalated Japan tensions to the UN.  In Reporters Notebook, a look at Google’s new...

Hard-hitting stories doing the rounds. In the Friday, November 21 edition of the show, Charlie Storrar and Andrew Ryan look at how Taiwan’s leaders are urging support for Japan in Tokyo’s ongoing row with Beijing… and what it takes to become an Olympic boxing champion. Plus: Assignment editor Jeremy Olivier talks us through the top stories of the day, including China’s displeasure at Panamanian la...

How worried should we be about AI tools? In the Wednesday, Nov. 19 edition of the show, Charlie Storrar and Andrew Ryan learn more about the security concerns involved when using models developed in China. Plus: In today's Assignment desk, Chia Chang walks us through the stop stories, the latest on Japan-China tensions and more Chinese spying cases.  Reporter’s Notebook: Defense reporter Alan Lu t...

In the Monday, November 17 edition of the show, Charlie Storrar and Andrew Ryan get the week underway with the latest happenings from the TaiwanPlus newsroom. Plus: Assignment editor Chia Chang introduces the top stories from the top of the week in Assignment Desk.  In Reporter’s Notebook, producer Alec MacDonald talks about one of TaiwanPlus’s flagship interview programs, Zoom In Zoom Out, and so...

The work of TaiwanPlus news relies heavily on interviews – with experts, analysts and the people of Taiwan. In the Friday, November 14 edition of the show, Charlie Storrar and Andrew Ryan take a closer look at what it takes to craft a smart interview. Plus: Assignment editor Jeremy Olivier takes us through the day’s top stories, including welcome news for Taiwan from the US and Europe…  In Reporte...

Typhoon Fung Wong has been downgraded to a tropical storm, but in the Wednesday, Nov. 12 edition of the show, Charlie Storrar and Andrew Ryan are still following it’s trajectory. Plus: Assignment editor Stacy Hsu explains how we choose where to send reporters during a typhoon.  A look at the development of Taiwan’s cultural and business ties with Malaysia with reporter Tiffany Wong.  Taiwan Trivia...

In the Monday, November 10 edition of the show, Charlie Storrar and Andrew Ryan look at the top stories of the day, including the imminent arrival of Typhoon Fung Wong, and get to grips with Taiwan’s fledgling pro wrestling scene. Plus: Assignment editor Stacy Hsu takes us through the top stories including the government’s outreach to Europe and the approach of Typhoon Fung Wong.  In Reporter’s No...

In the Friday, November 7 edition of the show, Charlie Storrar and Andrew Ryan take stock of an eventful week. Plus: Fresh from running the Friday newsroom, assignment editor Stacy Hsu brings us the stories of the day.  Reporter’s Notebook: Veteran journalist David Santos shares his tips for speaking on camera — and recalls a favorite on-air moment aboard a Philippine Coast Guard ship.  Taiwan Tri...

It’s not often that crime takes the top billing in TaiwanPlus newscasts – usually we focus on issues like geopolitics or the economy. In the Wednesday, November 5 edition of the show, Charlie Storrar and Andrew Ryan hear about the case that’s captured attention in Taiwan and Malaysia. Plus: Assignment editor Chia Chang takes us through other top stories of the day from the TaiwanPlus newsroom.  Pr...

US President Donald Trump made new comments about Taiwan in an interview that aired on the CBS program “60 Minutes” on Sunday. In the Monday, Nov. 3 edition of our show, Charlie Storrar and Andrew Ryan find out what they mean for Taiwan. Plus: Assignment editor Chia Chang talks about the challenges of reporting on news released by other outlets.  A look at innovation driving development in Taiwan’...

Leaders from 21 member economies have gathered in South Korea for the APEC summit — and TaiwanPlus is there. In the Friday, October 31 edition of the show, we talk about a high-profile Trump-Xi meeting, Taiwan's representative at APEC and the surprise appearance of Taiwan’s flag at the summit. Plus: Assignment editor Chia Chang talks about what the newsroom is keeping an eye on this weekend at APE...

What does it take to handle a reporter on the ground at APEC? In the Oct. 25 edition of the show, Charlie Storrar and Andrew Ryan get the inside story from the assignment desk. Plus: Beijing has launched a criminal case against a Taiwanese lawmaker. Assignment Editor Laurel Stewart tells us about the ruling party’s response.  Reporter's Notebook: Isabel Wang talks about her trip to Singapore to le...

The world is focusing on APEC this week – with world leaders, including US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping – set to meet in Gyongju, South Korea. In the Monday, Oct. 27 edition of our show, Charlie Storrar and Andrew Ryan offer a preview of what that means for Taiwan, and how the TaiwanPlus newsroom plans to cover it. Plus: On the 80th anniversary of Japan’s handover of Tai...

Defense stories were top of the coverage again today on TaiwanPlus, with next year’s budget in the crosshairs. In the Wednesday Oct. 22 edition of the show, Charlie Storrar and Andrew Ryan offer a closer look at what’s at stake. Plus: Assignment editor Jeremy Olivier discusses the top stories of the day, including a proposed special defense budget, Japan’s new prime minister and a suspected outbre...

We kick off the Monday, Oct. 20 show with a look at our top story, which involves five Taiwan companies that China says are linked to officers with bounties. Taiwan’s top government agency in charge of China affairs is pushing back. This episode: Assignment editor Chia Chang explains how she builds the Monday rundown after a lean weekend. Also: Catching up on the KMT chair election and planning fa...

From a proposed universal cash handout to Taiwan’s own “Emmys,” the Friday Oct. 17 show celebrates both breaking news and broadcasting heritage. Hosts Charlie Storrar and Andrew Ryan guide you through the week’s headlines and one reporter’s personal link to a Golden Bell legend. This episode: Assignment editor Jeremy Olivier explains how he builds the daily rundown—from an NT$18 billion special bu...

Millions of daily cyberattacks from China and a look back at Taiwan’s role in World War II. Hosts Charlie Storrar and Andrew Ryan guide you through hump day coverage in the TaiwanPlus newsroom. This episode: Assignment Desk: Jeremy Olivier reports on the sharp rise in Chinese hacking attempts, now averaging 2.8 million a day—double last year’s figure—as Taiwan braces for digital warfare that’s har...

Two of the biggest challenges in Taiwan news are political fairness and natural disasters. Hosts Charlie Storrar and Andrew Ryan kick off the week of Monday, Oct. 13 with two challenging topics. This week: Assignment Desk – Editor Chia Chang reveals how TaiwanPlus works to keep domestic political coverage fair, from vetting sources on Chinese interference to labeling AI-generated content during th...

It’s Friday, October 10 — National Day — and Taiwan News Junkie is coming to you from the TaiwanPlus newsroom. Hosts Charlie Storrar and Andrew Ryan take you behind the scenes to learn why our reporters were at the Presidential Office before sunrise, and how we prepped for wall-to-wall live coverage of the parade, performances, and speeches. This week: - Assignment Editor Stacy Hsu talks about run...

Welcome to the first episode of Taiwan News Junkie, coming to you from the TaiwanPlus newsroom. Hosts Charlie Storrar and Andrew Ryan kick things off with a behind-the-scenes look at how we put the news together, plus conversations with reporters on the ground. This week: Assignment Editor Chia Chang walks us through how stories move from idea to air.  Reporter’s Notebook – Cadence Quaranta takes...