Subtle intrusion

Regarding the Sunday Report of TVB, which is about the “Anti-white Movement” in China, I am frustrated if the idea of “presumption of innocence” practised in Hong Kong will be overridden someday by the media’s subtle influence.      I was impressed to learn that a fast-food shop owner charged with using prohibited PVC meal boxes was portrayed as a success in the “Anti-white Movement” — a movement banning the use of detrimental PVC meal boxes.      Chinese officials found a sack of prohibited PVC meal boxes in a construction site near the fast-food shop, claiming that the boxes were hidden by the owner.      The owner was then charged with using prohibited PVC meal boxes, though no such PVC meal box was found in his fast-food shop.      I am surprised that the incident was portrayed as an effective measure in environmental protection.      I wonder why the sack of PVC meal boxes found in the construction site can be evidence in charges against the owner.      “Presumption of innocence” is precious. I find that our legal system is superior to that of China on this point. But I was impressed by the programme’s intimation that “presumption of innocence” can be sacrificed under the guise of environmental protection.      The media can be a powerful device manipulating people’s minds subtly.      With the media’s subtle influence, audiences may not notice the hidden messages which actually intrude in their minds and have effect on them.      Audiences should be conscious of television programmes, so that we are immune to propaganda.                                                  Name withheld by request

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December 1997

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