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Taiwan's media are blinded by old biases

Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Shen Fu-hsiung (沈富雄) is highly concerned about ethnic conflicts in this country. Nevertheless, various disputes derived from the issue might not have occurred had he suggested that all political parties open more channels to allow people to express their love for the country -- instead of demanding that the ruling DPP not use "love Taiwan" as a major campaign theme to stir up ethnic issues in the year-end legislative election. Shen's purpose was to create a tolerant society. But his intolerant method of demanding that others keep silent was contradictory.

Often, only the powerful may tell the weak to keep quiet. This request is stifling even if made out of love. The Taiwanese people have always been the weak whose mouths were shut through decades of "white terror." Naturally, they can hardly accept Shen's stifling love.

In response to Shen's demand, Wang Ben-hu (汪笨湖) -- a pro-independence call-in show host -- attacked him for defaming the term "love Taiwan." However, he could have better demonstrated the greatness of "loving Taiwan" had he invited more guests to sophisticatedly testify how they love the island -- instead of venting his anger through attacks. Wang's strong criticism was as contradictory as that of Shen, which may further politicize and defame the term "love Taiwan."

Finally, Shen has recently become a hero in the eyes of some of the local printed media. But their praise will only cause him trouble and deepen the misunderstandings among different ethnic groups. The reason is simple: All these media organizations are "pro-unification" in the eyes of the so-called "love Taiwan" groups. They do not like to be labelled like this, and they try to change that image. But they often ex-plode accidentally whenever a big issue crops up.

They certainly know that Shen's suggestion contradicts his goal. For instance, they all point-ed fingers at President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) when he re-cently told Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) and People First Party (PFP) Chairman James Soong (宋楚瑜) to "shut up." But Shen has become a hero by telling others to remain silent. Wouldn't this difference in coverage make readers feel that their stance is inconsistent?

More importantly, before the election, didn't these media urge the government to establish a commission similar to South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission in an attempt to promote ethnic harmony? How can they praise Shen, whose suggestion may have covered up the truth? His inconsistent words and deeds are irritating, and have even made us distrust him. Similarly, these media actions, whether out of goodwill or not, will be interpreted as arrogant, and cause an even greater antipathy from the ethnic groups that do not trust them. If this continues, how can Taiwan's ethnic problems be resolved?

The uproar's real cause is neither Shen nor his suggestion. The problem lies in the media's lack of professionalism.

Well-functioning media are able to confine the discussion to the matter at issue, leading the whole discussion in a positive direction where a consensus can be reached eventually.

But in Taiwan, we only see the blind compliments or emotional reactions of some media organizations and the reckless counter-attacks of others.

After Shen said on April 19 that he felt like the legendary Wu Feng (吳鳳), a martyr who allegedly sacrificed himself for the sake of ethnic reconciliation, these media suddenly turned the whole case into a modern legend of a martyr.

This is indeed the biggest irony relating to the professionalism of Taiwan's media.

Bob Kuo is an information man-agement professor at National Sun Yat-sen University.

TRANSLATED BY EDDY CHANG
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