Media in Taiwan and Hong Kong - Literature review Example

Media in Taiwan and Hong Kong Name: Course: Course code: Tutor: Date: Media ethics According to Chan (2001), a key issue of concern in Journalistic ethics is the general public, the journalism itself and the journalist educators. This is mainly because of the fact in any change; there is a rubric fabric of values and ethics. However, these vales and ethics have eroded, or are under challenge and journalists are usually found compelled to redefine their professional codes of ethics. The Taipei Newspaper Association was the first to adopt Taiwan’s code of ethics in media and journalism (Chan, 2001). On the other hand, the Association of Hong Kong Journalists publicized the first journalistic code of ethics in 1980s. A mutual element in such ethics is the deficit of grinding teeth. There is no organization that has ever developed any form of mechanism to aid them. These codes of ethics have been in existence for many years in both countries (Lee, 2004). Goodwin (2003) argues that the critical concern within the media is the conflict of interest. According to the study carried out on codes of ethics within the media industry, there are several parts in media codes that are fully dedicated to matters that relates to conflicting interests. Several systematic studies on journalistic ethics have been done but differ to some extent due vast code of ethics. In Taiwan, for instance, a lot of studies have been done that to empirically observe the journalists’ perceptions and the attitudes towards different conflicting interests. Taiwan and Hong Kong are renowned by their inclination to political and media systems, so by their ethics. Media Systems The two societies share common historical language, origin as well as the cultural resources mainly construed. Nevertheless, both have taken dissimilar paths of development. For instance, Taiwan has undergone a thorough structural revolution from the dictatorial Nationalist Party rule to the multi-party democracy. Correspondingly, Hong Kong is on the region of Special Administration having survived from lapse stage of the British colony (Chan, 2006). Most correspondents in these countries perform their duties in the middle of all the transformations, integrating dynamic features of media systems as well as conveying their ethics, beliefs and professionalism in their routine work. Taiwan and Hong Kong media system are as dissimilar as their partisan inclination. Hong Kong is tried to revise herself through economic modifications under the continual influence of Communist Party. Indeed, this tactic, as echoed within the broadcasting sector, is exposed in broadcasting commercialization with limited freedom of expression (Lee, 2004). In both countries, journalists tend to draw party lines as well as ‘bottom line’; improvise some ways of undertaking ‘journalism’ so as to stay floating in the wave of political and commercialization uncertainties. Hong Kong has undergone transition of the British colony to a Special Administrative Region under a system of ‘one country with two dissimilar systems’. Notwithstanding the mounting force to self-censor, journalism has managed to retain their sovereignty. The level of freedom of expression has been monitored closely, and it has been used as an instrument of Hong Kong’s unrelenting sovereignty. Furthermore, direct interference of media information and content has been negligible (Goodwin, 2003). From the pre-colonial rule, Hong Kong has nearly a free information flow. Apart from the Hong Kong Radio-TV, which is the leading government public broadcasting department, all other media are owned by private individuals. Therefore, working in a wealthy location, where there is respect of law, issues relating to corruption are uncommon while money-driven journalism has been progressively influential (Davis, 2002). On the other hand, Taiwan has an extensive history of the dictatorial rule which was dismantled when the reigning Kuomintang went on board on the democratization and liberalization program. Banning the freedom of political parties and press brought up a political atmosphere for independence-leaning of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) so as to improve its political strategies. At the time of political evolution, the mechanism of the market achieved better recognition; with major broadcasting stations remaining subject to the military influence, the government as well as the Democratic Progressive Party (Chan J. L., 2006). The managers and the directors of each broadcasting station have been subjugated by few individuals who are allied with massive political securities. Some of the dailies are also associated to the ideology of the political parties, if not to an organization (Goodwin, 2003). For instance, the primary success of the Daily Apple, which is one of the leading commercial newspapers in Hong Kong, has started rolling down the conventional political-economic like that of the Taiwan’s journalism industry. Conflict of Interest Proven that the two countries were in the mid of the social change that involved a lot of restructure and reconfigurations of different economic and political interests, the big question remains how the journalists in these countries perceive ethics and the general practices when dealing with conflict of interests in their profession (Chan, 2001). There is no doubt that a conflicting interest in all profession arise due to competing loyalties and/or conflicting pressures that hamper their professional role and performance. Conflict of interest may refer to a crash between any two or more professional loyalties and the external interests that may undermine the integrity of the ethical agent. According to Swain (2008) possible conflicts of interest within the media fall into freebies; moonlighting as well as envelopments with community organizations Freebies Freebies may be used to refer to something given without cost or charge. In the media industry, freebies come in several forms. Davis (2002) has a belief that freebies cannot be escaped in journalism. However, some journalists may have a different idea; some freebies are acceptable, others are not. Davis (2002) commented that aaccording to the survey done in Taiwan and Hong Kong, journalists had their say. A survey of approximately 1000 television, radio and journalists in Taiwan established that a considerable number of journalists had an idea that most freebies were unacceptable. However, only money from the news sources was evaluated to be the least tolerable, trailed by the open trips then open permits to non-news activities. In addition, free tickets to news events were most acceptable, and then free trips to cater for free meals and news events from different sources. A similar study established that several journalists believe freebies are rampant in their field, showing a snooping breach between perceptions of reality and personal beliefs. Likewise, in a survey of media practitioners and correspondents in Hong Kong realized that majority of the journalists receive money from news source entirely unacceptable (Lee, 2004). Nonetheless, souvenirs, free trips and meals were acceptable to varying levels. Though concerned on freebies, many journalists believe that some of the freebies are acceptable. In a survey of about 286 radio and television news anchors, it was found news anchors accepted that free tickets could cater for news events. Moonlighting Moonlighting is a part-time or second full time job. Journalists possess some moonlighting opportunities in their field. Other opportunities may not have conflicting interest. For instance, lecturing at the university may not influence the way a journalist performs their duties, as long as their coverage do not touch the institution. Journalists from Hong Kong and Taiwan have the same ambiguity. Whereas most the work done by the journalists may not be related to journalism, it is suitable to work on other journalism related jobs. Like freebies, journalists believe that moonlighting is common among peers than the aggregate personal ethical beliefs (Chan, 2006). Self-censorship This refers to a kind of information control which is hard to document. It comprises of sets of editorial actions that range from omission, dilution, distortion and change of emphasis. In Hong Kong and Taiwan, journalists are subjected to pressure from all types of groups in the society that influences the information of offered by the media. With little or no guidance, the journalists have a feeling that pressure exercises self-censorship is a protective defense in news anchoring. They may omit, dilute, distort or even overlook some information so as to prevent adversative cost that befalls them or their host organizations (Davis, 2002). Taiwanese and Hong Kong journalists have censored themselves for several reasons: first and foremost, because their editors decide what should not be published in the ‘‘national interest’’, their commitment has been hampered. For a while, censorship is self-induced by journalists for several reasons over the public good or national security. Furthermore, journalists may decide to censor themselves due to fear or real reactions from the entire public or advertisers. In some instances, journalists withhold information for favors or friendship. Therefore, self-censorship signifies an insidious and pervasive impact on the content offered by the media. In fact, self-censorship is regarded as the most considerable form of censorship (Chan, 2001). Even though journalists use self-censorship for several motives, concern from the government’s pressure is the main source of self-censorship. Government’s control or influence over media information is well defined. For instance, those journalists from Hong Kong working for pro-Beijing media utilize self-censorship during their news reporting. Taiwan journalists exercise self-censorship mostly than they feel external censorship. In essence, self-censorship is one of the most imperative means of controlling the media. Pressure from the advertisers is another major source of self-censorship. It is obvious for some advertisers to take advantage of their economic pressure to influence the entire media content and journalists (Swain, 2008). References Chan, J. &. (2001). Mass media and political transition: The Hong Kong press in China’s orbit . New York: Guilford Press. Chan, J. L. (2006). Hong Kong journalists in transition . Hong Kong: Hong Kong. Davis, M. (2002). Conflict of interest. Business and Professional Ethics Journal , 17-27. Goodwin, H. E. (2003). Grouping for ethics in journalism . Ames, IA: Iowa State University Press. Lee, C. C. (2004). Ambiguities and contradiction. Issues in China’s changing political communication, 20-45. Swain, B. M. (2008). Swain, B. M. (1978). Reporter’s ethics . Ames, IA: Iowa State University Press. Ames, IA: Iowa State University Press. Read More

From the pre-colonial rule, Hong Kong has nearly a free information flow. Apart from the Hong Kong Radio-TV, which is the leading government public broadcasting department, all other media are owned by private individuals. Therefore, working in a wealthy location, where there is respect of law, issues relating to corruption are uncommon while money-driven journalism has been progressively influential (Davis, 2002). On the other hand, Taiwan has an extensive history of the dictatorial rule which was dismantled when the reigning Kuomintang went on board on the democratization and liberalization program.

Banning the freedom of political parties and press brought up a political atmosphere for independence-leaning of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) so as to improve its political strategies. At the time of political evolution, the mechanism of the market achieved better recognition; with major broadcasting stations remaining subject to the military influence, the government as well as the Democratic Progressive Party (Chan J. L., 2006). The managers and the directors of each broadcasting station have been subjugated by few individuals who are allied with massive political securities.

Some of the dailies are also associated to the ideology of the political parties, if not to an organization (Goodwin, 2003). For instance, the primary success of the Daily Apple, which is one of the leading commercial newspapers in Hong Kong, has started rolling down the conventional political-economic like that of the Taiwan’s journalism industry. Conflict of Interest Proven that the two countries were in the mid of the social change that involved a lot of restructure and reconfigurations of different economic and political interests, the big question remains how the journalists in these countries perceive ethics and the general practices when dealing with conflict of interests in their profession (Chan, 2001).

There is no doubt that a conflicting interest in all profession arise due to competing loyalties and/or conflicting pressures that hamper their professional role and performance. Conflict of interest may refer to a crash between any two or more professional loyalties and the external interests that may undermine the integrity of the ethical agent. According to Swain (2008) possible conflicts of interest within the media fall into freebies; moonlighting as well as envelopments with community organizations Freebies Freebies may be used to refer to something given without cost or charge.

In the media industry, freebies come in several forms. Davis (2002) has a belief that freebies cannot be escaped in journalism. However, some journalists may have a different idea; some freebies are acceptable, others are not. Davis (2002) commented that aaccording to the survey done in Taiwan and Hong Kong, journalists had their say. A survey of approximately 1000 television, radio and journalists in Taiwan established that a considerable number of journalists had an idea that most freebies were unacceptable.

However, only money from the news sources was evaluated to be the least tolerable, trailed by the open trips then open permits to non-news activities. In addition, free tickets to news events were most acceptable, and then free trips to cater for free meals and news events from different sources. A similar study established that several journalists believe freebies are rampant in their field, showing a snooping breach between perceptions of reality and personal beliefs. Likewise, in a survey of media practitioners and correspondents in Hong Kong realized that majority of the journalists receive money from news source entirely unacceptable (Lee, 2004).

Nonetheless, souvenirs, free trips and meals were acceptable to varying levels. Though concerned on freebies, many journalists believe that some of the freebies are acceptable. In a survey of about 286 radio and television news anchors, it was found news anchors accepted that free tickets could cater for news events.

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