Up Media
Online-only news
Founded15 July 2016
LanguageChinese
FounderMa Yung-cheng
Chief editorShieh Chung-liang

Up Media () is a Taiwanese online news outlet established in 2016 that primarily focuses on in-depth reporting and interviews related to politics. It also covers esports news and hosts the Major Six tournament.

History

In early 2016, former politician Ma Yung-cheng decided to leave politics and began discussions with his friends, journalists Wang Chien-chuang and Shieh Chung-liang, about the possibility of founding a media outlet together.[1] On 15 July, Up Media was established with an investment ranging from NTD$150 to 200 million,[2] funded by four entrepreneurs.[1] ETtoday reported that the investors were primarily from the Pan-Green Coalition,[3] while Want China Times noted that entrepreneur Chang Ya-li was one of the major shareholders, having invested over NTD$20 million in the startup.[4] Wang Chien-chuang served as Up Media's managing director, and Shieh Chung-liang took on the role of chief editor.[5] The outlet did not appoint a president, and Ma held the position of vice president.[5] The founding editorial team consisted of 40 staff members, headquartered on Chang'an East Road in the Zhongshan District, Taipei.[2]

Due to his connections with the Pan-Green Coalition, Ma stated in an interview with TVBS that he would not interfere in editorial decisions and would primarily oversee management and marketing affairs.[1] Up Media focused on in-depth reporting and interviews, avoiding instant news coverage.[5][6] Shieh explained that this decision was made to steer clear of clickbait and sensationalism, opting instead for a traditional journalism approach.[6] He also brought some editorial staff from his previous employer The Storm Media to join Up Media.[7]

In October 2016, Up Media began collaborating with video game companies and organized esports competitions, starting with the Third Major Six, a League of Legends tournament.[7] A new column for gaming and esports news was launched alongside the political pieces, with Shieh crediting this new area as a significant source of revenue for the media outlet,[7] and Up Media continued to host the Major Six annually.[8] In August 2017, Up Media announced their collaboration with Project Syndicate, publishing translated articles from it.[9] Before 2018, Hu Hong-ren became Up Media president.[10] In August 2020, Ma Yung-cheng resigned from Up Media.[11]

In October 2018, an Up Media editorial commenting 2018 Taiwanese local elections won the News Commentary Award at the Excellent Journalism Awards.[12] In October 2024, a commentary for William Lai's inauguration was nominated for another News Commentary Award.[13] In addition, Wang Chien-chuang won the Outstanding Contribution Award in Journalism in October 2020.[14]

References

  1. ^ 楊舒媚 (2 June 2016). "【重出江湖獨家專訪】任網媒副社長 馬永成：我沒打算回政治圈" (in Chinese). TVBS. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
  2. ^ "扁大將馬永成重出江湖 將任新媒體《上報》副社長" (in Chinese). Apple Daily. 2 June 2016. Archived 8 October 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
  3. ^ "馬永成投身新媒體《上報》 傳金主為多名綠營企業家" (in Chinese). ETtoday. 2 June 2016. Archived 22 December 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
  4. ^ 林喬慧 (26 July 2016). "陸客團天后 金援馬永成團隊攻網媒" (in Chinese). China Times. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
  5. ^ 自由時報電子報 (2 June 2016). "新媒體《上報》即將誕生 馬永成任副社長" (in Chinese). Liberty Times. Archived 8 August 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
  6. ^ 施歌 (15 July 2016). "《上報》7/15上線 謝忠良：新聞應有完整答案" (in Chinese). Media News. Archived from the original on 21 January 2022. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
  7. ^ 呂苡榕 (5 October 2016). "台灣新媒體連番出現，他們哪裏是「新」的？哪裏還是「舊」的？" (in Chinese). Initium Media. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
  8. ^ 楊文琳 (30 July 2020). "全國最大業餘電競賽「六都電競爭霸戰」 台中站熱血開打" (in Chinese). Up Media. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
  9. ^ "60位國際重量級評論家在上報　你不能錯過的《大家論壇》" (in Chinese). Up Media. 31 July 2017. Retrieved 14 February 2025.
  10. ^ "胡鴻仁、黃珊珊到世新 談從0到1新聞人生與媒體自律" (in Chinese). ETtoday. 1 October 2018. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
  11. ^ "【重磅快評】賴友友放火 馬永成變信賴團隊「馬維拉」" (in Chinese). United Daily News. 19 December 2024. Archived 9 January 2025 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
  12. ^ "第十八屆卓越新聞獎 平面及網路(文字)類 - 新聞評論獎得獎作品". Excellent Journalism Awards. Retrieved 13 February 2025.
  13. ^ 洪素津 (8 October 2024). "卓越新聞獎公布入圍名單 中央社奧運3D解析及攝影獲選" (in Chinese). Central News Agency. Archived 8 November 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
  14. ^ 宋淯銓 (21 October 2020). "卓越新聞獎公布:《上報》董事長王健壯獲2020新聞志業特殊貢獻獎" (in Chinese). The Storm Media. Archived 25 September 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
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