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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Monday, April 22, 2002

Taiwanese Tired of Daily Onslaught of Gossipy and Sleazy News Reports

Taiwanese television viewers have tuned out. They have become so tired of the daily onslaught of gossipy and sleazy news reports that an increasing number would rather spend their time doing something else instead of watching the news. This is reported by The Straits Times April 22.


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Taiwanese television viewers have tuned out. They have become so tired of the daily onslaught of gossipy and sleazy news reports that an increasing number would rather spend their time doing something else instead of watching the news. This is reported by The Straits Times April 22.

According to a recent opinion poll, 80.5 per cent of Taiwanese feel anxious, depressed and despondent over the island province's future after watching local television news.

Results of the poll, conducted on 1,069 people from all social sectors by the popular monthly magazine Commonwealth, showed more than 70 per cent of Taiwanese believe that the gossipy and sleazy reports have a negative effect on society.

Although 85 per cent of the respondents said they spent more time watching the news than any other programme, 42 per cent admitted that they worried about its impact on their children.

A former food company president said he was once dumbfounded by a piece of news that he watched with his teenage daughter.

The news channel had continuously flashed a bulletin on the bottom of the screen that read: "Coming next in our report, a father arrested for forcing his daughter to give him a blow job.''

Many parents have complained strongly about news reports focusing heavily on sex, murder, violence, arson, and robbery - topics which are easily sensationalised to catch viewers' attention.

Since Taiwan lifted its ban on the news media in the late 1980s, the number of newspapers has grown to more than 300, including 18 major ones. Meanwhile, 14 cable and wireless television companies air through 125 news channels.

Due to competitive pressure, television companies are concerned only with the ratings and most news reports are produced like fast food - without depth.

The Commonwealth poll showed public confidence in the news media has eroded. Only 22 per cent of respondents found local news media reports to be credible while 37 per cent did not.


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