Two recent incidents involving foreigners have highlighted both the vicious habit of politicians in Taiwan -- talking irresponsibly -- and the lack of responsible reporting. Politicians and journalists who treat foreigners with the same cavalier disregard for the facts as they do their compatriots not only risk stirring up a hornets' nest, but damaging Taiwan's international reputation.
When DPP Taipei City Councilor Wang Shih-chien (
Obviously he is ignorant of the fact that the vast majority of foreigners here are working quietly, contributing to Taiwan's economy. Wang may have missed the recent reports about several outstanding foreigners who have devoted their lives to working for the betterment of the people of Taiwan. Quite a few of them are involved in the rehabilitation of drug addicts.
Where is the evidence that foreigners are behind the rampant drug abuse problem in Taiwan? Undeniably, there are a few black sheep in the foreign community and some who try to smuggle contraband, such as marijuana, through customs. However, the large-scale drug smuggling is done by Taiwan's own criminal syndicates. Most of the narcotics found in Taiwan have been either smuggled in from the Golden Triangle or China, or produced locally.
Wang and his fellow councilor, Yen Sheng-kuan (
Just as Hwashan was rocked by the "Ecstasy party" accusations, the Senegalese soccer team became victims of the Taiwan media during their whirlwind visit, when some TV stations accused them of hiring prostitutes while they were here. The TV stations said a pimp was the source of the story about the footballers frolicking with prostitutes.
It is deplorable that TV stations, in their fight for ratings, appear to air reports before verifying the details. By the time the other side has a chance to refute the story, or the facts emerge, the damage has already been done. But broadcast journalists, producers and news directors are not the only ones guilty of such a lack of ethics -- they are only following the lead of the print media.
Journalists have to double-check their stories, editors have to question the veracity of the stories their reporters turn in. If this basic work is not done, the reports lack credibility and the reporters, editors and media owners should be held accountable.
The abuse of the freedom of speech by politicians has long been a cause of resentment among the people of Taiwan. Why should these politicians enjoy constitutional immunity for what they say -- on or off the legislative floor. Numerous innocent people have been slurred. Perhaps now is the time to think about abolishing the lawmakers' immunity. Everyone should be made to take responsibility for their words.
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