Media ethics
Monday, October 17th, 2005 | 6:20 pm @ SK
[UPDATED VERSION] While former deputy prime minister Tun Ghafar Baba remains at critical but stable condition, a Chinese media shows no sense of media ethics and very low of sensitivity level towards Tun’s family, by talking about the "possible funeral locations".
I find this very serious with total disrespect towards the Tun himself and his family’s feeling, to say the least.
For the time being, it’s for you to find out which media is that, until I publish the digital copy.
(Click on the image for higher resolution)
TRANSLATION of the highlighted red-box, verbatim:
He said, the Melaka state government offered that Ghafar Baba could be laid to rest in the Melaka state mosque for the public to pay their last respects.He also stated that although PM Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said that as a former leader of the country, Ghafar’s funeral should be held in KL and the final place of burial should be at KL Mosque.
Thanks to blogger xweing for the translation.
It’s now for you to find out which incosiderate media and which irresponsible Datuk is that.
Media ethics? Social responsibility? My arse.
October 16th, 2005 at 10:37 pm
I echo your feelings SK. The fact is, the man has yet to pass away, and no matter how critical his condition may be, discussing his burial is a subject that may even be taboo within his immediate family, let alone outsiders. I don’t see how this subject can be newsworthy, and I have been told that certain parties inside his family circle have found it to be not only in poor taste, it was downright insulting.
I hope someone writes to the editor in charge of the publication that allegedly discussed this issue. It would be great if you could put up a translation SK, for those of us not lucky enough to be mandarin-literate.
Good point your raised here buddy. I await your follow up.
October 17th, 2005 at 1:01 am
But then it is prudent isn’t it? The only sure thing in life is death. the man WILL die one day and he has to be buried. It’s just like how CNN and other major news organisations have obits written for major celebrities and public figures, all ready to go in a moment notice and uploaded into webservers, awiting only details like time and place before going live.
October 17th, 2005 at 7:12 pm
Agree with you SK– completely unethical and tasteless, and why the rush, that’s NOT AN EXCLUSIVE for heaven’s sake!
The Desk editor should be sacked, the Chief sub-editor too for not playing a proper a check-and-balance safeguard role!the trouble nowadays with newspapers nincompoops who play politics get promoted to their point of suicidal imcompetence!
Viceice: yes, news agencies have got "standby" copies, but they don’t go to print or broadcast IN ANTICIAPTION, so it’s wrong comparision. Preparedness is not dereliction. Jumping the gun or matters such as this — showing insensitivity and outrightdisrespect!, is NOT JOURNALISM ETHICS! Journalism 101 teaches that — I think the family has every right to call for the Editor’s resignation!
October 17th, 2005 at 7:39 pm
Outrageos…speechless….Oriental Press?
October 17th, 2005 at 7:40 pm
er, was it Sin Chew Jit Poh?
October 17th, 2005 at 10:31 pm
ylchong: I last heard that Tun is getting better. ;-)
October 18th, 2005 at 3:08 pm
Downright tasteless.