Singapore paper lauds Taiwan for fining Next Media

An editorial published in Lianhe Zaobao said that because children and teenagers are the main recipients and viewers of new media, the violent images of blood run by the company would have a negative effect on the mental health of young audiences.

Fining the company showed that Taiwan is a healthy society as it observes basic moral principles and human conscience, the editorial said, arguing that the fine comes within expectations and that the company deserves no sympathy.

Next Media has come under fire since it launched an animated Internet news channel earlier in the month, and the Taipei City government decided to fine the company NT$500,000 on two separate cases for violating the Children and Youth Welfare Act.

The editorial said it was pleased to see Taiwan upholding basic ethical and moral standards even though it is proud of its support for freedom of speech.

In a modern society, freedom of speech is a fundamental human right that should be protected and promoted, but it cannot be extended unconditionally. Instead, it must be enjoyed in a responsible way; otherwise, it cannot be considered as a real freedom, the editorial said.

If businesses were allowed to sell products that have a detrimental effect on the mental health of children and teenagers under the banner of free speech, that would mean selling heroin under the pretext of free trade is legal, the editorial argued.

The newspaper also urged media operators to exert moral self-discipline because a law regulating the new media has yet to be enacted.

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