This section contains pre-reading activities (which can be applied to other readings you do) and the reading passage. Read through and answer the pre-reading activities first to formulate an opinion before reading the article. This will help you think more critically while you're reading.
Step 1 – Activating your own knowledge
Answer the following questions before reading the passage.
Which of the following newspapers would you like to read?
a) The South China Morning Post
b) Ming Pao
c) Apple Daily
In your opinion, which of the above newspapers focuses too much or not enough on sex and violence?
Step 2 – Practising critical thinking
What is your opinion about the content of today’s newspapers?
Which of the following criteria are generally used to evaluate newsworthiness by most journalists or editors?
1. When did the incident happen?
2. Is the story still developing? Has the problem been resolved?
3. Is the news closely related to the reader? What effect does it have on readers?
4. Is famous person involved?
5. Is it something new and unique?
6. Is it concerned with sex and violence?
Step 3 – Vocabulary building
Please read the following article. Compare your opinion with the Chief Executive’s about the content of some newspapers in Hong Kong.
Reading Passage:
Hint of controls on porn in press
Tung Chee-hwa has hinted at tighter controls on pornography in newspapers and magazines.
He said the community and the Government were concerned about articles "which profaned the morals of young people".
"The Government attaches much importance to the control of pornographic publications and is determined to tackle the public concern," he said.
The Chief Executive's remarks - made at the presentation ceremony of the 1999 Press Awards organised by the Newspaper Society of Hong Kong - came amid reports that a set of stringent measures would be proposed to curb the distribution of pornographic publications.
The proposals include requiring the obscene contents of newspapers be sold separately or in wrappers.
Mr Tung said: "The younger generation represents Hong Kong's future. We have the responsibility to create a healthy environment for their development. This is not solely the responsibility of the press. We need the joint efforts of parents, teachers and the entire community."
The Chief Executive said everyone should recognise that the community was "dissatisfied with some practices of the press".
He lashed out at reports that were "irresponsible and distorted, coverage which harmed the interest of persons being reported on, without regard to the circumstances which victims faced, nor their privacy, excessive displays of sex and violence".
Mr Tung said it was against the background of public concern that a Law Reform Commission subcommittee had proposed setting up a statutory regulatory framework.
Referring to an ongoing move by newspapers to establish a self- regulatory mechanism, he said: "I earnestly hope that the press will strengthen its professional ethics, pursue self-regulation and meet the expectations of the public."
He cited the winning press articles and photographs that reflected public appreciation of "what is genuine, good and beautiful from what is [not] genuine, distasteful and shameful".
"The outstanding photographs are much appreciated by the readers, and are distinct from pictures which had to be encoded or blurred in part for publication."
Target words: pornography, concerned, stringent, obscene, lash out at, distorted