Taiwan enjoys one of the freest media environments in Asia, despite some continuing legal restrictions and political pressures. Laws prohibiting advocacy of formal independence from China or of communism allow police to censor or ban publications considered to be seditious or treasonous. These provisions, however, are not generally enforced in practice. Courts occasionally convict journalists for criminal libel in cases brought by the government or politicians. Most of Taiwan s media are privately owned and express a wide variety of viewpoints, although the four major television networks are owned or closely associated with the government, opposition political parties, or the military.
Some programs are openly critical of the ruling party.
The government respects constitutional provisions for freedom of religion. In January 1998, provisions of the Parade and Assembly Law prohibiting demonstrations that promote communism or advocate Taiwan s separation from mainland China were ruled unconstitutional. Authorities have refused to register some nongovernmental organizations with the name Taiwan in their titles, but such groups operate freely. Despite constitutional protections on the formation of trade unions, a number of regulations restrict the right of association in practice. The right to strike and bargain collectively is limited by laws that allow the authorities to impose mandatory dispute mediation and other restrictions.