When dealing with reports of a recurring crisis, Taiwanese media must handle the event professionally and rationally. They should also display a sense of humanity and sympathy when they report this kind of news. It is time that they stop providing unbearable news reports to their audience.
The central and local governments must coordinate their rescue efforts and mobilize all their efforts to work together. They should not take into account any political interests. This is the only way to bring an end to the “political rescue mission shows.” The authorities should also set up an integrated communication office as soon as possible to proactively provide updated and timely crisis information to the media. If different agencies continue to work on their own without collaboration, and release contradictory statements, there will only be more confusion.
However, the media should follow standard operating procedures for self-discipline when reporting on disasters. These procedures should include the Satellite Television Broadcasting Association’s guidelines for reporting on disasters and accidents, the National Communications Commission’s principles on reporting and covering major disasters, journalism-related regulations in the Protection of Children and Youths Welfare and Rights Act (兒童及少年福利與權益保障法) and self-discipline-related regulations of the Netherlands Press Council. By doing so, the quality and credibility of journalism can be improved.
For instance, when reporting on disasters, the Dutch media are often able to keep up with the times when it comes to self-discipline. In recent years, special emphasis has been put on the protection of children and teenagers.
The Dutch media are asked to avoid — as much as possible — interviewing underage victims of disasters. If such an interview is necessary, it should be done following communications with, and obtaining the consent of, the parents or guardians of the underage victim. Underage victims are not to be asked to describe the pain over the loss of family members.
In addition, audio and/or video recording and photography should not be made without obtaining prior consent. Reporters should not show pictures of children treated in hospitals without having received prior permission to do so. If the media are able to evade medical staff and interview children, they could impinge on the children’s right to not be disturbed.
All these examples show the degree of humanity and sympathy the Dutch media have, which is worth emulating.
New media, such as Twitter and Facebook, offer an extremely vibrant environment. Whenever a major disaster takes place, the news is quickly broadcast across the Internet and is spread through a variety of channels. Nonetheless, reporters still have to ascertain the facts and maintain professional standards when producing their news reports.
Not only should they provide timely information and pursue the truth, they should also show empathy and compassion so that their reports are produced with sympathy — respect for life, sympathy for the disadvantaged, care for society and protection of justice — to avoid hurting the victims a second or third time, which could result in post-traumatic stress disorder.
Lu I-ming is the former publisher and president of the Taiwan Shin Sheng Daily News.
Translated by Ethan Zhan
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