Persuasive Oral Presentation about paparazzimedia ethics in Hong Kong - Essay Example

Sometime this year, there were a group of activists that were fighting for the right to preserve a certain historical site in Hong Kong. The group went to the site and stayed there for some days with very little attention from the local media. However, a certain politician realized that there was an opportunity to garner public attention through the activists. Consequently, he called some members of the press informing them that there would be a fight between some activists and the police at a specified time.

(Mei Ning & Cottrell, 2008) Ten minutes before the set time, local pressmen were presented with their cameras; the police had already arrived. At the set time, the politicians arrived with the small group of activists. The police confronted them immediately and the demonstrators also put up some resistance. All this time, the ensuing activities were being recorded. After ten minutes of this, the policemen, politician, members of the press packed up their belongings and left; a classic case of doctored stories.

The activists were at least content that their case would be aired on the nine o'clock news. Ladies and gentlemen, this extreme case demonstrates just how absurd our media has become. Isn't it time that we began discussing such lack of professionalism More importantly, isn't it time for us to think of ways in which we can change such depictions What really is freedom of speech In my view, Hong Kong Media have overstepped their boundary.In case you are not convinced about this issue yet, here are some incidences that reinforce my earlier sentiments.

In the year 2002 during the month of October, well known gossip magazine East Week splashed naked pictures of actress Carina Lau in the edition. They claimed that these were photos of the actress at that time when she had been arrested some twelve years go. Actress Lau was clearly in anguish and distress but this did not stop East week from publishing this shocking images. In response this sheer lack of humanity, angry protesters marched to the streets of Hong Kong claiming that local tabloids lacked moral substance.

Most of them wondered 'what had happened to media ethics' while it may be true that you as the media authority did something in response to these acts your actions were not solid enough. Through your actions, this magazine company was closed for one year. But shortly after, the company was reopened and is still back in business. I ask you, 'How many more Carina Lau's do we have to witness before we can instate radical changes in our local mediaIn close relation to this incident was a publication made by Next Magazine.

The group had displayed pictures of the dead corpse of a woman at the bottom of Sheun Chi building. (Mei Ning & Cottrell, 2008)Not only were these pictures quite disturbing but they were worsened by the alleged causes of the death. The magazine claimed that it was the husband of the deceased who had been engaging in acts of promiscuity that had propelled his wife to suicide; they claimed that he had been engaging in extra marital affairs with prostitutes. Instead of sympathizing with these distraught family members, the media was fuelling their anger and remorse.

What was more devastating about the media handling of this case was that some media companies paid the deceased wife's husband to take meals and