Former CNA Editor Wang Yingji Dies at 90

Veteran journalist and former Editor-in-Chief of the Central News Agency (CNA) Wang Ying-chi recently passed away at the age of ninety. The news has drawn deep sorrow and grief from the journalism and cultural communities. Wang's life was closely intertwined with the history of modern Taiwanese journalism. Not only did he witness the transformation and development of the Central News Agency amidst the tides of the era, but through his eighteen-year posting in the United States, he also served on the front lines of the international stage, delivering critical information to Taiwanese readers. His departure symbolizes the passing of yet another exemplar of the older generation of Taiwanese journalists who bore the mission of justice on their shoulders, prompting widespread remembrance and tributes from all sectors of society for his lifelong dedication to the journalistic profession.

Wang cultivated his career in journalism for decades, holding numerous key positions. Most notable among them was his tenure as the Editor-in-Chief of CNA. In an era when information dissemination did not demand the immediacy and fragmentation seen today, the role of the editor-in-chief shouldered the heavy responsibility of safeguarding news quality and maintaining media credibility. During his time in office, Wang consistently maintained a rigorous attitude toward the verification of journalistic facts, the expansion of international perspectives, and the adherence to journalistic ethics. His leadership style not only shaped the professional image of CNA at the time, but also nurtured countless outstanding journalism talents, exerting a profound and critical influence on the formation of Taiwan's journalistic culture.

In addition to holding core positions in domestic media, Wang was stationed abroad for an extended period, serving in the United States for eighteen years, including a tenure as the head of CNA's New York Bureau. This lengthy overseas career spanned a critical historical period marked by delicate Taiwanese diplomatic circumstances and volatile international situations. During his time in the United States, Wang personally witnessed and reported on numerous major events that shook the world and impacted US-Taiwan relations. The most representative of these was former President Lee Teng-hui's historic visit to his alma mater, Cornell University in the United States, in 1995. This visit stirred massive waves in the diplomatic history of the United States and Taiwan, and Wang led his team in conducting first-hand observations, interviews, and reporting from the scene, leaving behind precious and detailed historical records for the domestic public.

Beyond major turning points in cross-strait and US-Taiwan diplomacy, Wang was also stationed in New York to experience firsthand the major global upheavals at the turn of the century. On September 11, 2001, the United States mainland suffered an unprecedented terrorist attack, in which the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York collapsed, shocking the world. As the head of the New York Bureau, Wang demonstrated the professional competence and extraordinary courage of a veteran journalist amidst the chaos and highly tense situation. He and his colleagues ventured close to the disaster site in the immediate aftermath, overcoming numerous difficulties including communication disruptions and security threats, and swiftly and accurately transmitted the news of the September 11 terrorist attacks—an event that changed the global landscape—back to Taiwan, enabling domestic readers to grasp the latest developments of this century-defining disaster simultaneously.

Wang's passion for the journalism profession did not wane with his retirement. Even after stepping down from heavy management and reporting duties, he continued to care about the dynamics of the journalistic community, displaying the moral character of a veteran journalist who keeps learning and caring for society to the end of his days. His life was virtually a microcosm of the professionalization and internationalization of Taiwanese journalism. Against the current backdrop of a rapidly changing media environment, the proliferation of misinformation, and the erosion of traditional journalistic values, looking back at Wang's lifelong commitment to his journalistic post and his pursuit of truth appears all the more precious. His passing is not only a loss for his family, but also a significant regret for Taiwan's cultural and journalistic communities. Nevertheless, the professional model he left behind and his passion for the journalistic mission will long remain in the hearts of younger generations of media workers.

(Source of facts: Central News Agency)