Taiwan’s Public Policy Interest and Taiwan Think Tank, among other organizations, jointly held a symposium on January 1st to discuss the topic of “Starting the New Year with New Dialogues: How can Youth Influence Break Through Echo Chambers?” Scholars and experts were invited to analyze these relevant issues.
The organizers stated that during the pre-recorded live stream, the moderator, Dong Siqi, convener of Taiwan’s Public Policy Interest, emphasized that the new year marks a fresh starting point for youth to exert their influence. He pointed out that in the digital age, algorithms often lead people to fall into a single viewpoint, creating a “silent echo chamber.” However, he urged the younger generation to bravely break through existing frameworks through diverse means such as text, voice, imagery, or social media, to record themselves, spread their voices, and bring about societal change. He said, “Young people not only need to make the world hear their voices but also learn to connect with others from diverse perspectives, creating genuine dialogue and change.”
Dong Siqi specifically mentioned that over the past year, Taiwan’s youth have shown resilient social engagement when faced with the Chinese Communist Party’s united front infiltration and cognitive warfare, whether through initiatives like Bluebird Action, Justice Transformation, Digital Sovereignty Advocacy, or engagement in national defense and diplomacy, all of which have been inspiring. He called on youth to further enhance their media literacy, break through information restrictions, and transform their passion into long-term policy influence.
Chen Fangyu, assistant professor of the Department of Political Science at Soochow University, stated that political scholars should explain political theories and real controversies in an approachable manner to promote public affairs discussions. Fan clubs such as “Market Politics Studies” and platforms like “US Taiwan Watch” play roles in translating relatively complex knowledge into easily digestible information for everyone. He mentioned that “as long as you persist in doing something professional and interesting on the internet, you can carve out your own niche.”
Zhang Ruoyao, a journalist with Central News Agency and host of the program “Sky Living Room,” emphasized how traditional media training experiences can be transformed into skills for managing multimedia and self-media platforms. She shared her early editorial experiences at the entry of Apple Daily into the Taiwanese market, where editors were required not only to edit but also rewrite existing content, even street interviews and astrology articles, providing a solid foundation of skills. She stressed the importance of considering opposing viewpoints, understanding the root of issues, and listening to neutral voices to realize that situations are not always black and white, urging people to think from different angles.
Renowned YouTuber “PolandêTaiwan Boy” Stan shared how he uses the power of social media to delve into social, political, and international issues. He recounted his experience applying for a Taiwanese visa at the Chinese Embassy in the US, where he was told to apply for visas separately at different embassies, leading to a viral video. Stan pointed out the strong commercial influence of the Chinese Communist Party behind social media platforms, which sometimes restrict the reach of content related to Taiwan-related topics. In such times, YouTubers must rely on their passion and professional skills to strive forward.
Lawyer Li Jingqi focuses on legal issues through platforms like Facebook and podcast programs. She highlighted that social media algorithms often have strict requirements for sensitive topics, leading to decreased reach or even account suspension risks. In order to promote public discourse in such an environment, she tries to break through limitations using innovative methods and actively participates in elections to drive more diverse social conversations. By engaging in music festivals and other events, she spreads her ideas through opportunities to reach a wider audience and foster deeper communication and resonance among different groups.
Zhang Zhuqin, Director of the CET Academic Programs Taiwan Center, emphasized the importance of creating spaces for public issue discussions, highlighting the significance of enthusiasm in advocacy endeavors. She suggested that partnering with experienced production collaborators for strategy and planning is key before embarking on these initiatives. “Involvement in public issues is about finding partners, continuing the journey for the long term, and allowing a trickle to eventually become a stream.”