The concerted and somewhat excessive efforts by the media to ridicule Xu Simin for his comments on RTHK only confirm the 'untouchable' situation the media at present enjoy.
Under the banner of freedom of the press (or speech), the media seem to be increasingly immune from criticism and control. Nobody in Hong Kong wants a medium that speaks only for certain sectors of society, be that government or private interests. But one does expect facts and balanced reporting, the two basic elements of journalism that some journalists ignore. The media business is highly competitive. To survive and lead, editors and their journalists must always keep in mind the following 'S-rules': Scoop. As competition gets tougher, the chance of getting a scoop diminishes and the methods of obtaining one become murkier. The end often justifies the means both in journalistic and financial terms. The temptation of getting a scoop is so great that lesser reporters forsake their ethics to fabricate a story.
Speed. Getting a story on air and in print are constant headaches for both editors and reporters. Cross-checking of facts is often not possible. Yet readers seem to be very forgiving with papers often getting off with a small printed correction if the papers were wrong.
Story. Everybody loves a story and facts can be bent to create a story that sells.
Selective reporting. Editors have an absolute right to decide what news to print. Readers have a right to know when something is closer to myth than fact.
The media have tremendous power in shaping trends and public thinking, government policies and other social issues. It is this power that the public should have a right to monitor.
At present, the media lead and feed the public in both opinions and information.