By Annie Huang/AP
The first issue’s cover story took aim at a not-so public figure: the future son-in-law of Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian, surgeon Chao Chien-min. The article focused on Chao’s dating history before he met the president’s daughter.
After weeks of advertising that promised to dig up dirt, Next magazine hit Taiwan’s convenience stores and bookstores — selling out within hours and threatening to shake up the island’s media world with sensational, paparazzi-driven journalism.
Published by Hong Kong tycoon Jimmy Lai, the magazine also featured what has made its Hong Kong version famous: loads of splashy graphics and photos. It had a two-page spread of a scantily clad “Next Girl.’’ One story covered the transfer of power from a notorious gang leader to his successor, while several other articles focused on celebrity gossip.
The magazine’s advertising campaign, costing 120 million Taiwan dollars (US$3.5 million), was successful in creating a buzz about the publication. One eye-catching ad, plastered on the side of public buses, shows two eyes on a woman’s bare bottom with a subtitle saying “Adultery? Please watch out.’’
Taipei office worker Diane Hsu spent her lunch break reading the magazine at a cafe.
“I may not buy the story about the first daughter’s fiancee, but the magazine’s launch has been the talk of the town and I’m curious,’’ she said.
Lai’s Hong Kong version of Next magazine and his Apple Daily newspaper are known for their aggressive reporting about the private lives of politicians and celebrities.
The Hong Kong businessman broke with Taiwanese tradition, deciding not to hold a reception celebrating the magazine’s launch. Most Taiwanese media companies rent ballrooms at Taipei’s best hotels, where they celebrate new products with news conferences and lavish tea parties.
Lai’s office said that he was not available for interviews. But in a letter to readers, Lai said he launched Next magazine in Taiwan to witness and report about the many reforms and other changes taking place in “a free society never before emerged in the Chinese history.’’
Last year, Taiwan became the first Chinese state in 5,000 years of Chinese history to hold a democratic election that resulted in the peaceful transfer of power to a leader from an opposing party.
Pei Wei, editor-in-chief of Next, said Taiwan’s intricate politics and the close relations between politics and business make the island a haven for investigative reporting, even more so than Hong Kong.
“We will be a magazine with guts,’’ Pei told The Associated Press. “We go where the news is, even though the source is a close friend of the boss.’’
Some media analysts and critics are worried that Next magazine will force Taiwanese media to focus on more gossip and lowbrow news.
Lee Se-wei — an editor of China Times Weekly, one of Next magazine’s main competitors — acknowledged that Lai will add pressure to other magazines. But he doubted that Taiwanese readers would like the paparazzi-style journalism.
“We are not afraid of competition, and we don’t plan to send photographers out for hours just to catch a celebrity at an awkward moment,” Lee said.
A few Taiwanese lawmakers urged readers to boycott the magazine.
But Daniel Huang, of the small People First Party, said politicians should be prepared for public screening. Huang, who has been the target of several gossip stories, said, “You don’t go into the kitchen if you can’t stand the heat.’’ |
