Chief executive candidate Leung Chun-ying has accused Sing Tao News Corporation of trying to conduct a smear campaign against him by reporting prominently on his alleged investment losses in British property firm DTZ, among other negative coverage.
Leung said the unverified reports had seriously damaged his personal reputation and undermined his image and credibility. He dismissed the reports and said the media shouldn't have purposely targeted him by digging up old negative stories. He also accused a Sing Tao reporter of having bombarded him with awkward questions at a recent public function with the intention of embarrassing him.
Leung's high-profile retaliation against the media has had a negative impact on the popularity and public image that he has been building for years. His strong reaction might have surprised the public, but not those who know him well.
One of the main functions of the press, as the fourth estate, is to act as a guardian of the public interest and a watchdog to hold the government and prominent public figures accountable for their actions. Leung has to accept that media scrutiny is part and parcel of the job of being a public figure, especially when he is running for chief executive. If he doesn't want the media to look into his past and personal life, he should stay out of the limelight.
Most importantly, the media is not only tasked with keeping a close eye on the chief executive, it must also be critical and keep him on his toes.
One of the most important characteristics of democracy, apart from the election of capable and talented people to political office, is to put in place a system that can check the power of those in authority. The more power people have, the less we should trust them.
