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Hsueh case reveals slide in Taiwan's principles

The dispute between TVBS anchorwoman Kelly Hsueh (薛楷莉) and wealthy Korean-Japanese businessman E. Tokuhara has become a soap opera. However, Hsueh's case is just the tip of the iceberg, which has alerted us to the dramatic decline of overall moral values in Taiwan's society. Downfallen media ethics, distorted journalistic professionalism and degenerate public morals are corrupting our country.

Long before the arrival of cable channels, there had been public debate about the overemphasis on appearance in the selection of TV anchors. The phenomenon of anchors turning into celebrities worried us even more.

Today, due to this trend, TV stations only pursue ratings. In addition, the content of TV news reports is often sensational and unbalanced. This shows that the production of news programs tends to be careless and biased and can misguide the public.

As a result, the shows have encouraged social deviations, which gradually make the public lose hope for the future. This phenomenon is rarely seen in the media of advanced countries. In Taiwan, appeals for media ethics and professional journalistic training have long been raised. But Hsueh's case proves that we have failed to achieve this goal.

The influence of TV anchors on society far exceeds that of school teachers. TV anchors in Europe and the US display their professional knowledge, respect for their work and a sense of mission. Hence, age and looks are not the most important factors for an anchor.

For example, former CBS anchor Walter Cronkite deeply influenced US policies and was respected by the entire nation. He was more popular than any good-looking anchor, and each of his words carried significant weight.

Take CNN talk-show host Larry King as another example. He is not handsome and does not pay particular attention to his clothing. However, he is an industry heavyweight and a household name. Although the appearance of these famous TV anchors is ordinary, they are deeply welcomed by the audience. Both their words and deeds even have a positive impact.

Of course, some of the anchors at the three major US TV networks are young and pretty. Connie Chung, a Chinese-American anchorwoman, was one of them. Unfortunately, in her 1995 interview with Kathleen Gingrich -- mother of then House Speaker Newt Gingrich -- she committed a "breach of trust" [by airing a statement by Mrs Gingrich which she made clear was off the record]. As a result, she was forced to leave her post at CBS.

It is hoped that Hsueh's case can serve as a warning to Taiwan. Otherwise, the decline of our social customs will be unbearable and unthinkable.

In 1990, a newspaper editorial cartoon portrayed former president Lee Teng-hui (李登輝) tos-sing about in bed, kept awake by thoughts about Taiwan's seven major questions: transportation, public rights, abductions, business outflow, robberies and the structure and violence of the legislature.

As he was lying in bed, he put his hands on the Bible and prayed: "Lord, please guide me so I can sleep well."

Our social problems are worse than they were 12 years ago. Both our social ethics and moral values have seriously declined. To sleep well, we must evoke public awareness of media ethics and journalistic professionalism -- in order to guide the public. We must jointly maintain the traditional moral values that are rapidly disappearing.

Li Chen-ching is the director-general of the Bureau of International Cultural and Educational Relations of the Ministry of Education.

TRANSLATED BY EDDY CHANG
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