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Letter: Responsibility of the media
By Shinning Huang
Monday, Apr 02, 2007, Page 8
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Sad as the series of publicized car accidents that took place a few months ago was, it also revealed serious deficiencies in the media.
Newspapers, TV news programs and magazines have all been abusing the freedoms and rights of individuals to follow their own agendas and decide how news should be reported.
The media only seems to care about audience size and how many newspapers are sold. Under such a system, journalists have lost sight of their professional responsibilities toward society.
When Taichung Mayor Jason Hu (胡志強) and his wife Shaw Hsiao-ling (邵曉玲), had their terrible accident, the media chose to focus on Shaw's injuries, with the Apple Daily, displaying pictures of her on the front page.
Anyone walking into a convenience store had access to the images. Not only did this violation of journalism ethics prove injurious to the readers, but it was also detrimental to the individuals involved in the accident.
In the case of Beatrice Hsu (許瑋倫), who died in the accident, the media exploited the news of her death in exchange for ratings.
The "fourth estate" is supposed to symbolize the best of the media. In other words, the media is supposed to have the duty and authority to watch over governments and to speak out in the name of the public.
Sadly, what the media has chosen to do instead is engage in low-brow gossip. This needs to stop because it is harming society.
It is high time the media found its way again, which is to contribute to a sound, prosperous society.
Shinning Huang
Taipei County
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