Next faces Taiwan advertising ban

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