電視新聞自律研究－以中天新聞為例

Abstract

為改善國內電視新聞品質，電視事業主管機關《中華民國國家通訊傳播委員會》(NCC)近年來以「審照」與「評鑑」等行政監管機制，要求電視新聞媒體增設 「新聞編審」、「獨立審查人」、「公評人」等專屬職務，作為新聞室內部品質管控作業流程的守門人角色，來落實新聞「自律」(self-regulation)機制，降低因外界他律問責可能損及新聞自由的疑慮，試圖改善國內新聞媒體因高度競爭而逐漸劣化的媒介生態環境。制度實施以來確有國內業者創下評鑑期間連續三年無裁罰違規優良紀錄。\n本研究檢視NCC近年要求衛星電視新聞台增設「編審」職務執行自律工作，發現編審制度強化新聞室內部守門控管機制，的確有其成效。但是，編審制度不代表新聞室自律被完全實踐。研究發現，傳播學者Shoemaker所提「層級理論」中的新聞室高層級(總監)決策影響，仍然扮演了關鍵角色。然而階層較低的編審人員，仍可善用一些溝通技巧和方法，來形塑場域內有利執行守門業務的環境，在新聞室內部自律執行上，順利落實新聞守門人的工作。\n另外，研究也發現，隱藏於場域內的新聞專業意理，是真正落實新聞自律的成功基因。因此，在新聞場域內從下到上，自第一線工作人員，到新聞室最高主管都能具備新聞倫理相關訓練與素養，建立起共同專業意理價值，發揮人人都是守門人的角色，更有助於新聞自律的實踐。\n建議未來在建置編審自律機制的規範上，應該以更全面思維，建構具備新聞專業倫理的新聞工作場域來做考量規畫，並在保障新聞自由與自主的基準原則上，來有效落實新聞自律與問責機制。

For enhancing the so-called television news quality in Taiwan, National Communications Commission (NCC), the authority of telecommunications and broadcasting services, in recent years through its administrative supervision mechanism such as license-reviewing as well as appraisal and evaluation, has mandated TV news channels to further implement certain functions, including but not limited to those roles as “news auditor”, “independent reviewer” and “news ombudsman”. Those characters are positioned as gatekeepers for better the internal quality control and the operating procedures within the newsroom. NCC has anticipated that the news outlets “self-regulation ” mechanism can be therefore carrying out; the misgivings on the freedom of the press possibly damaged by the external questioning on news credibility and accountability can be thus reducing; and, the highly competitive and gradually degenerative domestic news media environment can be thence improving. And indeed, ever since the implementation of the system, there is a TV news outlet has set a record of penalty-free for 3 years in a row during the evaluation periods of time.\n\nThis study takes a close look into the newly added position as the “news auditor” at those cable TV news channels for delivering those self-regulated works, which required by NCC in recent years. And, the research finds that the “news audit system” does strengthen the newsroom internal gatekeeping and controlling mechanism; yet, the findings also reflect that the effectiveness of the “news audit system” can neither represent nor guarantee the journalistic self-discipline is thoroughly fulfilled. The findings also indicate that on one hand the senior decision-maker, such as news department director, as the key player within the “Hierarchy of Influences” – theory introduced by Pamela J. Shoemaker, still plays a vital role. On the other hand, the lower-level editing reviewer can still shape up a favorable working environment for gatekeeping by leveraging the different communications skills and modus; so that he/ she can thus smoothly practice the duty as a gatekeeper with self-regulation and within the newsroom.\n\nIn addition, this study finds that what truly leads to the implementation of journalistic self-discipline is the professional ideology ‘hidden’ within the newsroom. In the news territory, no matter it’s top-down or it’s bottom-up, from the frontline reporters to the top executives, that everyone equipped with journalistic ethics, attained with professional competencies, and cultivated with righteousness and values, can therefore be endued and demonstrate the role & responsibility as a gatekeeper that will ensure and contribute to the realization of journalistic self-regulation.\n\nIn conclusion, for implementing the regulations related to the editing reviewing & self-disciplined mechanism in the future, more comprehensive perspectives should be taken into consideration in order to construct the workplace with professional journalistic ethics, to safeguard the freedom of the press as well as to ensure the independence of the news media. With these fundamental principles, the television news outlets’ self-regulation and the media accountability can be continuously executive and thereafter effectively fulfilled.