Paying for Stories

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Paying for Stories

• Critical issues in Journalism
• And Global Communications
• By
  Connie Lo

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Journalist

• Its a commitmentto a respect for the audience
  of your material. It is a set of standards, a
  set of values, ethical challenges that were test
  by every day that defines a journalist.
• Bill Kovach

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Basic beliefs-

• Tell the truth
• Loyalty to its citizens
• Obtain public confidence.
• More.

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Before 1997

• Afraid of press freedom
• Freedom of speech
• Anti-Communist papers shift their view points
• Self-censorship on sensitive issues, e.g. 4th
  June Incident

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After 1997.

• No change on press freedom
• Phone-in programs, Columnists vocal as usual
• Some papers, like Apple Daily not allow covering
  Formal Meetings in the Mainland
• ONLY 4th June Memorial Ceremony remains
  unchanged.

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Chan Kin-Hon issue Between Oct - Dec 98

• Kin-Hon means healthy, still.
• Chan a former cook in the market now a track
  driver between HK Vs China
• Breadwinner of family
• Wife, Lam Man-Fong aged 41 two sons 10 6
• No financial support for the family after
  frequent stops in China resident phone had been
  terminated

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Commit Suicide with Sons

• On 20th Oct 98, Chans wife threw two sons from
  14th floor of their apartment at midnight and
  commit suicide afterwards
• Police called Chan by pager, He stayed with
  Shenzhen girlfriend Jenny through the night, came
  back next morning

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Chans reaction

• No regret of his behavior, blamed his wife Lam
  for killing his sons, showed no sympathy on his
  wifes death
• Dramatic description on his sexual needs claimed
  affairs outside marriage was normal
• Went back to his girlfriend right after,
  neglected the aftermaths
• The neighbors raised fund for the funeral.
• Chan said he truly loved his girl friend and
  would get marry soon.

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Almost every local paper had front page coverage
on this issue.

• Sensational description on headlines

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TV Entertainment program

• TVB ATV entertaining programs City Magazine
  and See Better Today covered the update from
  20th 30th Oct 98, segment varied from 10 to 25
  minutes
• The programs provided lots of room for Chan to
  express his opinion towards Sex life and his
  interest on prostitution.

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Front page story on prostitution

• On the third day after the incident - 23rd Oct
  1998, Apple Dailys front page showed pictures of
  Chan visiting the Night Club in China and kissed
  PR ladies.

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Apple Daily pay for the activity

• This coverage aroused sound arguments of the
  ethics while covering news.

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Anger amongst Journalists

• Four local Journalists Association including 600
  journalists signed up urging for quality
  reporting, announcements had been put into 7
  local papers.
• Broadcasting Authority and other Associations
  received hundreds of complaints on the coverage
  of Chans personal affairs.

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Apple Daily Admitted

• Publisher of Apple Daily Loh Chan admitted they
  paid the night club bill for Chan plus 5000
  dollars exclusive for his interview.
• Chan Kin-Hon told other reporters he was asked to
  ACT unusual in the night club and he felt regret
  of what he has done for his family.

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Front Page Apology

• On 10th Nov 98, Apple Daily using front page for
  an Apology.

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Apple said

• Apple said they were wrong on the way they
  presented the news and they had no intention to
  create any story.
• Apple Daily denied they had pay for an interview,
  5000 dollars was the request from Chan and that
  was the ONLY time they pay.

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Compensation for Chans time

• They further verified the money was the
  compensation of Chans time for unable to work
  during interview.

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Public figure has a price

• Chan Kin-Hon told other reporters Oriental Daily
  and ATV also paid for his interview.
• Chan said he welcome other kinds of interviews,
  but all must be paid because he could not find a
  job after became a public figure.

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Rating

• From 20th- 30th Oct 98, City Magazine and See
  Better Today covered the update of Chan,
  including his girlfriends interview in China.

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AC Nielsens Report

• According to AC Nielsen, when ATV or TVB covering
  the issue, the rating climb up 20-40, there are
  360,000 audience chasing the channel at those 10
  days, equal to 6 digit 1 digit equal to 60,000
  audience.
• When the program broadcasting others subjects
  other than this, rating dropped immediately.

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Broadcasting Authority

• On 2nd Dec 98, after numerous complaints
  throughout all channels, Broadcasting Authority
  charged ATV 100,000 TVB 50,000 for
  sensational coverage on this issue.
• Broadcasting Authority claimed PG guide shown on
  the program was not enough to get rid of wrong
  message spread out through the community.
• Broadcasting Authority warned the Station if this
  happened again, they would have second thought
  when they considered the licensing.

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Hong Kong Journalist Association

• Present Chairman of HKJA Mak Yin-Ting said no
  media EVER admitted they pay for the stories,
  including Apple Daily which put apology on the
  front pageONLY admitted they were overlook on
  the way they present news.

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Oriental Dailys Version

• Oriental Daily said they PAY CHAN FOR THE TIME
  exclusive with them, just to make sure Chan could
  not be available for other media during that
  special moment.

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Realitythe grey area

• Budget for entertainment.
• Luncheon and dinners.
• Company gifts and others.
• Information provider.
• Exchange currency.
• An interview.

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TVB Saturday Report

• at the end of Jan 2003-
• Elderly special before the policy changed towards
  the welfare system.
• Interviewed different elders from community.

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Elders Background

• mostly grassroots and not educated
• many of them live alone without relatives support
• working hard before retired
• no retirement plan, depend on welfare
• cases refer by social workers

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TVB is Rich?

• Wang Lai, aged 88 claimed TVB promised to donate
  after the interview..
• Wang said Oriental Daily can donate TV set or
  special fund for elderly Apple Daily can draw
  cash right after the interviewTVB is RICH enough
  to do the same!

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Our road is long

• Thank You!