As a social instrument, the media has the power to shape thoughts and opinions as well as to construct cultural values. During early Japanese colonial era, the Government-General of Taiwan initiated and dominated the legislation of the ‘Taiwan Newspaper Act’. With measures different from those implemented in Japan proper, the colonial government exercised strict control over the news media through distribution licensing, pre-publication censor and security deposit, thus restraining the development of the native press in Taiwan. Consequently, there were very few newspapers in circulation, with the majority being ‘pro-government’, leaving Taiwanese a myopic view of the world under official intervention.

Seeing words and writing as powerful tools, the New People’s Society, established in 1920, started publishing monthly journal Tai Oan Chheng Lian(The Taiwan Youth), with Tsai Pei-huo as the editor and publisher. Lin Cheng-lu, Peng Hua-ying, Wu San-Lien, Tsai Shih-ku, Liu Ming-chao, Chen Xin and other Taiwanese students in Tokyo were also involved in editing and managing this first modern publication founded by Taiwanese. Contents of The Taiwan Youth included calling on Taiwanese youth to rise up in resistance against colonial racism, explaining about local autonomy and presenting the situation of colonies around the world, asserting that “Taiwan does belong to Taiwanese”. Many young people were deeply aroused and inspired. The ensuing wave of enlightenment among overseas students and educated youths on the island had a profound impact on promoting the development of the new cultural movement in Taiwan.

Following the founding of the Taiwanese Cultural Association in October 1921, the stage of political and social movements gradually shifted from Japan back to Taiwan. In response to growing demand for reports on current affairs both domestic and abroad, The Taiwan Minpao was first published in April 1923, further expanding the influence of the press. Edited in vernacular Chinese by the same editorial group of The Taiwan Youth, The Taiwan Minpao aimed ‘to impart knowledge to the people in easy Chinese language’ so as to ‘enlighten the culture of Taiwan and arouse patriotism for the welfare of Taiwan’. Its wide-ranging contents covered politics, economics, culture and the like, conveyed what was seen and heard abroad, and expressed feelings or comments about current affairs. Contributors were mostly young educated intellectuals with national spirit; their sharp writings and incisive discussion were well received by the people at that time. Regarded as ‘the only mouthpiece of the 3.5 million Taiwanese’, The Taiwan Minpao was initially published every two weeks in Tokyo and then brought back to Taiwan for sale. In 1925, it became a weekly newspaper with circulation exceeding 10,000 copies, second only to Taiwan Nichinichi Shinpo (Taiwan Daily News) and Tainan Shinpo (Tainan News). In July 1927, after repeated endeavors of the activists, the then Governor-General of Taiwan, Kamiyama Mitsunoshin finally approved the release of The Taiwan Minpao in Taiwan. The Taiwan Minpao continued its struggle as the sole voice of the Taiwanese to speak out from their perspective.

Consequent to the enhancement in knowledge, culture and national consciousness and the increasing thirst for latest news, the Taiwanese eagerly aspired for broader distribution of daily newspaper. In 1930, The Taiwan Minpao expanded its organizational structure and changed its name to The Taiwan Shinminpo. In 1932, it was finally approved to be issued daily and became the only private Taiwanese-run daily newspaper in the market at that time. At long last and after years of persistent requests, recurrent rejections and constant delays, Taiwanese got a newspaper of substance and meaning that met their expectations. Political views and sparks of reform could now propagate from the organization and be disseminated to the general public.