Lai is guardedly optimistic about RTI's future: "The Taiwanese people deserve quality public radio," she said, adding that RTI could eventually be in a position to provide that.
While many of her associates share her conviction that RTI, despite its difficulties, has an integrity that sets it apart from much other media here, skepticism about national broadcasting runs high.
IS ANYBODY OUT THERE?
One thing many at RTI seem to agree on is that people are listening. Actually proving that this is the case, though, is tricky when it comes to international radio -- especially as according to the station's research, half of its audience is in China. Members of the station cite well-attended listeners'-club meetings, sales of shortwave receivers in China and letters from listeners.
There are obstacles for any shortwave radio station to find listeners, especially since China jams outside broadcasts in many urban areas. Surprisingly, it's young people who are RTI's main audience in China, according to a study obtained from the station.
Increasingly, they are accessing content online (www.rti.com.tw). RTI has many resources to help circumvent the Great Firewall. "If you cannot get through on the Internet you can just send us an MSN or e-mail and we will respond to you immediately with another IP," said Lai.
Another point of consensus is that having a sizeable Chinese audience doesn't translate into support for Taiwan. Wu said that Chinese tell him they listen because "they want to hear what we are up to."
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