TAIPEI: The recently-formed Taiwan Advertisers' Association (TAA)
has urged its 33 members to refrain from buying ad space in the island's
first paparrazzi news title, Next Magazine, due to concerns that it may
be invading the privacy of individuals.
TAA's general secretary, Helen Wang, said: "This is not a boycott. All
we can do is remind members that it is against the principles of our
association to advertise in such a magazine. Our policy is to encourage
and support good media."
The TAA's media guidelines cover such standard concerns as explicit and
immoral content, biased or unfair reporting, victims' and children's
rights and more.
Next declined to comment.
Taiwan's publishing industry has undergone tremendous change since the
lifting of martial law in 1987. In the past, privacy was an issue for
the Government Information Office (GIO) which, for four decades, served
as both pro-government mouthpiece and as media watchdog. Two years ago,
Taiwan abolished its restrictive Publication Law and the GIO has become
an advocate of press freedom.
GIO's deputy director, Lee Cherjean, said: "We don't have any guidelines
on personal privacy. Personal privacy is protected under criminal and
civil laws, but it is up to the individual to pursue it."
If such a case is brought to the courts, the key issue will be where
Taiwan draws the line between public figure and individual.
The TAA's definition differs from that in the West. Wang said it is
laudable for Next to report on corrupt government officials, for
example. But it is off-limits to report that two celebrities are
spending nights at each other's apartments. In the West, celebrities
qualify as public figures.
See analysis, p26.
