The scars of media melees

My debate with Liberal Party chairman James Tien Pei-chun last week unexpectedly hit the headlines. We had exchanged views over the recent vote for the chairmanship of the legislature's Finance Committee, which was contentious because some pro-government lawmakers betrayed the pro-government candidate.

It is not uncommon for the local press to resort to sensational reporting to boost circulation. But it does not make much sense to run front-page stories that have nothing to do with public interest.

Another example of media sensationalism is the obsession with scandal and the private lives of people in the public eye, or in positions of responsibility. People's private lives should remain just that: private - unless they have taken advantage of their public position in some way.

Magazines and newspapers that publish such stories infringe upon people's right to privacy, and should be brought to account.

The government, also, has come in for unwarranted criticism. To reduce air pollution, it has announced that it will spend HK$3.2 billion to help owners replace 74,000 older diesel vehicles with new, less-polluting ones. The scheme will also encourage private car owners to purchase 'green' cars by cutting their registration tax.

The proposal, however, has been held up to ridicule. One radio talk-show host savaged the government's latest plan - buying 36 Volkswagen saloons at a cost of HK$12.6 million, to replace the government's aged fleet of luxury BMWs.