Whose voices? How media policy shapes minority language radio in Taiwan

Abstract

This article explores the interaction between media policy and the development of minority language media, in this case, Hakka language radio stations. It examines how media policy has been caught between neo-liberal economic development and election politics and delineates the extent to which media policy has impacted the establishment, programming and performance of minority language media, especially in the context of political democratization. This article argues that the mission to promote cultural diversity and to ‘make more voices heard’ should not fall on minority language media alone, and that the government and mainstream media ought to take the lead if this goal is to be achieved.