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Alliance tackles another paper

Several pages from the Chinatimes Express containing pictures and literature with strong sexual connotations were shown at a Media Monitor Alliance press conference yesterday. The alliance said it would grant the newspaper a two-week observation period to improve its contents. PHOTO: CHANG CHIA-MING, TAIPEI TIMES

The Chinatimes Express has become the Media Monitor Alliance's latest target because one of its pages contains pictures and articles with strong sexual connotations.

"Page 9 of the Chinatimes Express, which is titled `Carefree 889,' contains literature that has strong sexual connotations. In addition, pictures of two figures lying on top of each other, which provoke sexual associations, were also published on this page," Connie Lin (林育卉), Broadcasting Development Fund CEO, said yesterday.

On Jan. 14, another page 9 article promoted a comic book which depicts the sexual adventures of a beautiful young woman.

"Through this article and the attached picture of the book's cover, a reader can easily look up its publisher and the author on the Internet. It is rather obvious that the newspaper is promoting sexually suggestive literature to the public," Lin said.

Lin said the Chinatimes Express often maneuvers physical objects into images that have strong sexual connotations.

"For instance, there were images of two Lego toy figures lying on top of each other, which bluntly suggested sexual activity. Furthermore, what is perplexing about these pictures is that these items are usually easy accessible to teenagers and children in their everyday lives," Lin said.

As the Chinatimes Express is part of the Chinatimes news group with a long publishing history in Taiwan, Lin said, the newspaper should know what kind of reading matter is acceptable for the general public.

"It is not for a day or two that the Chinatimes has been established in Taiwan. It should know by now what is acceptable here when it comes to newspaper content. It is understandable that the Apple Daily, a newspaper that originated in Hong Kong, might have had a few misconceptions about Taiwanese culture," Lin said.

According to Lin, the alliance has been communicating with Chinatimes Express staff regarding its content and will grant the newspaper a two-week observation period.

"We have stated clearly what we are displeased with their content through press releases and direct conversations with their staff. In two weeks' time, if there are no signs of improvement, the alliance will take action against the newspaper," Lin said.

Lin said that these actions would include urging the newspaper's sponsors to cancel their advertisements in the paper and filing requests with government authorities to crack down on the newspaper.
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