TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is struggling to break through the digital echo chamber, according to insider sources. Operating on social platforms like TikTok has proven difficult and is now a point of debate for the party following the 2024 presidential election.
The election highlighted the DPP's issues with losing young and middle voters, bringing the party's capacity to operate social media platforms into sharper focus. Vice President-elect Lai Ching-te has shown interest in strengthening the party's command of social media platforms, viewing them as engines for driving topics and talent cultivation.
Despite TikTok's immense popularity among younger demographics, the party still views the platform as off-limits due to concerns about personal information leaks and surveillance from China. The rise of TikTok as a significant source of hot topics and misinformation—for example, viral videos falsely claiming ballot tampering after the election—has started to sway the party's outlook. There are now voices within the party advocating for a presence on the platform.
Efforts to establish a market on TikTok have, thus far, been unsuccessful. DPP supporters have only gained a few thousand followers after sharing official DPP promotional videos on the platform, indicating the party's difficulty in cutting through the algorithm-driven landscape and changing public opinion.
Lai's online influence did not truly begin to grow until after his presidential candidacy, although it has since shown progress. Still, his influence can't compete with Taiwan People's Party (TPP)chairman Ko Wen-je, who began operating on social media platforms eight years prior.
A DPP party insider said the TPP has several staff members dedicated to scripting and shooting videos. This highlights a future direction for the DPP, as they grapple with maximizing efficiency with limited manpower.