ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the impact of the media on the policy-making of the Su Hwa Highway, it generally divides into two main parts: the background and policy context during the period 1990-2011, which relates to all the political factors and perspectives of policy entrepreneurs that are involved in the decision-making process; and reflection and discussions from scrutinizing the two major camps and analysing the growing influence of mass media and how mass media shape the policy-making process positively and negatively. Since the lifting of martial law in 1987, the development of the mass media in Taiwan has enabled political elites and politicians to communicate directly with the general public. After 1987, Taiwanese government further relaxed controls on the political rights of citizens, and took dramatic steps to improve respect for human rights and create a democratic political system, including ending almost all restrictions on the mass media.
