The recent media frenzy surrounding Hsu Chun-mei (
The Media Monitor Alliance yesterday urged several television news stations to stop creating controversial topics regarding Hsu in their prime-time news broadcasts, one day after an online Hsu fan club was established.
The alliance described Hsu's media exposure as a fad which has a significant commercial undertone.
"Hsu's media presence can be described as a balloon that has been pumped up by media magnates out of commercial interests. However, news about her has no value or social benefits to speak of," said Garden of Hope Foundation director Chi Hui-jung (紀惠容), a member of the alliance.
Hsu first appeared on Taiwanese television news last November to reclaim custody of her youngest daughter.
"Little Yun" (小雲) was given away as a toddler and was found as a stray girl by authorities late last year. Hsu's more straight-forward and often unrefined language, as well as her unorthodox outfits, attracted the public's attention. Hsu has also been proactive in getting media coverage by informing reporters about her movements.
During the Lunar New Year holidays, Hsu appeared repeatedly on television news to discuss her private life, such as her marriages and her alleged romantic relationships with celebrities.
Consequently, she was invited to appear in variety shows and even co-anchored a prime-time television news program earlier this week.
The alliance said that Hsu acting as a news anchor is an indication that the news media has been transformed into an entertainment business.
A woman's group spokesperson said certain female news anchors' way of covering news about Hsu was insulting.
"When covering Hsu's stories, some female news anchors seem to treat her as a joke, which is a disgrace to the role of women in our society," said Sue Huang (
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