NY Yankee pitcher Wang Chien-ming yesterday sent around an open letter saying he would no longer accept media interviews with Taiwanese media. All I can say is: it's about time.Wang was referring to the behavior of the Taiwanese media following an interview with the New York Times, which was published on Aug. 13.
During the interview, Wang revealed that he had been adopted. In the following days, Taiwanese media went into overdrive covering Wang's family, with dozens of TV and print reporters descending on Wang's hometown of Tainan and stalking his family members for interviews, which enraged Wang.
"Due to the stress suffered by my family in Taiwan, I have made the difficult decision of refusing to accept any more interviews by members of the Taiwanese media, until further notice," the letter said, which was published on the front page of the Chinese-language United Evening News yesterday.
The letter was issued by Wang's agent, Alan Chang (
Chang said that Wang is a mild person, and his decision was made to protect his family. He said the Yankees were supporting Wang's decision and would offer all possible assistance necessary張嘉元 ), yesterday from the US, and it was written in English.
The media's habit of stalking people here is shameful. I hope more celebrities put their foot down to put a stop to this nonsense.
UPDATE: ESWN links to the Prez's daughter abusing reporters for following her around every day.
Q: Who are you shopping for? Yourself or someone else?
A: For your home!
Q: Are you moving back to your home on Minsheng East Road, or are you staying at the President's Residence?
A: At your home!
Q: ...
A: You people follow me around everyday. How can I not be angry? How about a little bit of human rights, alright?
A few weeks ago I saw a TV exclusive, where reporters had followed Chao Chien-ming, the President's son-in-law, into restricted areas of the hospital, harassing him as he tried to work.
UPDATE: Peter Wilds forwarded me his letter to the Taipei Times on the media frenzy surrounding a critically-injured gangster rushed to the hospital amid crazed shoving and pushing by reporters.
[Taiwan] [media]
Remember when that gangster Chang Hsi-ming was shot and rushed to hospital? That was insane. Photographers were pushing and shoving around his bed INSIDE the hospital. Why do hospital staff tolerate it?
ReplyDeleteCheck out this TT photo. Mad.
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/photo/2005/07/14/2005039011
Did you see the news from a couple of weeks ago when CSB's mother-in-law Wang Hsia tried to empty a bucket of water over the assembled TV crews? I think that's the answer :)
ReplyDeleteShould I start a campaign to donate NT$100 for a journalist-soaking fund?
Taiwan Echo:
ReplyDeleteI honestly can't understand how you for form your conclusion like that. What's the difference between those reporters and paparazzi? Should you blame the reporters or the public who enjoy reading news like that? When the stock market is in frenzy, do you criticise the industry or the investors? When your garbage collector smells, is that the trash's fault?
Reporters are feeding information to the audience. You choose to watch the news, and so they do their jobs to feed you the information. Now who stinks?
I hope Taiwan's media begins examines why "foreign" born players in the CLB (Chinese Baseball League)are barred from playing in the annual all-star game here. This will be an interesting point, especially if Wang makes next year's MLB version (he's 17-5 with a 3.60 ERA right now).
ReplyDeleteIt's a bit off topic, I know. But I am obsessed with this recently. Too bad for Wang in regards to the media. His mom is a neighbor of my wife's aunt in Tainan. They are nice people, and he is always gracious with fans living nearby. He should just stay in the States.