Taipei, Oct. 8 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian urged local news media Tuesday to play a leading role in promoting social advances and upgrading national competitiveness.
Addressing a ceremony to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the military-run Youth Daily, Chen said that in this pluralistic and highly self-aware society, news media should refrain from giving false, distorted or sensational news reports simply for either commercial gain, vested political motives, or pandering to the preferences of special interest groups or individuals.
Such practices only create social chaos and distort social values, according to Chen.
He lauded the Youth Daily for its quality reports and in-depth analyses of major news events and for its contributions to helping interaction between the armed forces and the civilian population.