An Interesting Family!

Chen Shui-bian, the ex-president of Taiwan, contributed numberless news materails to the press. From January 14, Chen Shui-bian, his friends and his family created many hot points. It is really difficult to make a statistics about the number of news articles about him. According to incomplete statistics, the number should be more than 50. But most of them focused on the main three stories. On the other hand, the comments of his news increased very much, because the trail of Chen Shui-bian is going to the critical moment. About 30 comments discussed the Chen cases.

First of all, I want to talk about our “hero” – Chen Shui-bian. Recently, he lives in jail, but he still attracts the attention of the press. January 25 is Chinese New Year, the ex-president cannot give others “Hongbao (red paper containing money as a gift )” as other years. Many former colleagues went to the jail to visit him, but they had different goals. The media which support Chen Shui-bian and Independence of Taiwan, reported the bad life condition and the bad spirit of Chen Shui-bian. They described Chen Shui-bian as a frustrated hero, who will bob up like a cork. The media which support reunification of the country, did not use the words such as tacky, poor or painful to describe the jail life of Chen Shui-bian. The human management, the abundant supper of Chinese new year's eve, and the strange behaviors of Chen Shui-bian and others were their focuses. Chen Shui-bian is an extreme guy, so any comment cannot remain neutral. His supporters are waiting for his re-rising, and his opponents are watching a farce. After all, as a prisoner, Chen Shui-bian has no chance to speak to the media directly, so many comments based on various guesses.

In thebeginning of 2009, Chen Shui-bian is the famous person matter-of-course. But from January 20, his family members attract more attention of the whole society. Some media call the behavior of the son of Chen Shui-bian – Chen Zhi-zhong as patricide, because Chen Zhi-zhong and his wife concedes his crime to the judge in order to reduce their prison term. Besides this couple, Chen Shui-bian’s brother-in-law, Wu Ching-mao, also pleaded guilty to charges of money laundering. The family members participating in Chen’s crime is undoubted, but Chen Zhi-zhong couple and Wu Ching-mao pleading guilty is still unexpected, neither to Chen’s supporters, nor his opponents. Because this situation is very special, different comments express different opinions. The Green media, who support Chen, feel pity for Chen. They said: Chen is a wretched father, who is hurted by his son. And these media criticize Chen Zhi-zhong’s decision. As the son of ex-president, Chen Zhi-zhong conceded his crime. How can Chen Shui-bian defend himself? At the same time, the Blue media, who oppose Chen, think the ex-president is a machinator, instead of a sad father. Chen has huge wealth abroad, so he needs his heir – Chen Zhi-zhong to master it. Chen Zhi-zhong pleading guilty is not a symbol of resipiscence, but a strategy.

Chen Zhi-zhong amazes the society, and his sister – Chen Xing-yu also shocks the world. The lady is going to be crazy, because of the pressure from media. As the only one family member, who is not a part of Chen cases, Chen Xing-yu is a witness instead of a criminal. But it is not a good thing for her, because she has no protection of police. Many media follow the track of her, either in Taiwan, or in New York. She took a qualification test of dentist in New York during Chinese New Year, after her father asked her to stay in Taiwan. When she finished her test, many media wanted to interview her as their appointment before. But the ex-princess abused the media suddenly, and kept 20 minutes, on the street of NY. It is not easy as an ex-princess. To her reaction to the media pressure, different media express different positions. The Green ones still commiserate her fate, and they compare Miss Chen with a priness of ancient China. That girl was almost killed by her father- the king. In their opinion, Miss Chen is innocent, so the media should not disturb her life. But the Blue ones point out the final goal of Miss Chen’s travel is not the qualificantion test, but diverting wealth in the United States and immigration. It is worthy to analyze why she left Taiwan at such a sensitive time.

Review all of the stories I have collected thus far, I do not think any article can remain neutral, including news stories. Because every reporter has his or her position, and unique viewpoint of the event. And every medium has its position, so whether to publish this article or not, how to choose the viewpoint of report, depend on the character of this medium. The government of Mainland-China cannot accept the Independence of Taiwan, so the court decision to Chen cases is very crucial. But the main media in Mainland-China do not report the details of Chen Cases, because they are waiting for the final result. The local media of Mainland-China published the articles of Chen cases do not use long space. The only important comment of Chen cases in main media of Mainland-China is not only talking about Chen, but also talking about the relationships of China and the United States. The process of Chen Cases benefits the Mainland-China, so the media seem like smiling ladies, who do not like talking, but have their own decisions.

The Western media do not comment Chen Cases recently, but the media which support reunification of China, published many comments, more than 10, to express their opinions. The media in Taiwan make up of different parts, even including the newspaper which is set up by the vice president- Lv Xiu-lian. Ms. Lv is Chen’s former colleague. Sometimes, she is Chen’s closed friend, but sometimes, she is his enemy. In such a complex media environment, the comments of Taiwan media are all very interesting. Some media just focus on the details of each story, and some media just interview the famous current affairs commentators. They want to conceal their tongues, but it is not an easy thing.

As a reader, I have to collect different voices in order to judge the story by myself. As a PR practicer, I know every coin has two sides, so I have to pay attention to the dark one. In PR activities, not all of the media are friendly, so how to deal with the relationships with them is a big problem.