Jackie Chan, latest media victim?
Media reports that he brought his own mineral water and refused to eat Indian food on a flying visit to Chennai had the kung fu star fulminating.
B.F. FIROS gives us Chan’s version
There is this story taught in almost all journalism classes.
On landing in an
The Pope paused for a while, as he was well aware that these street-smart scribes are adept at the art of making news out of thin air. He knew whatever he’d say could be twisted and polished as a news item. So he threw back a question in the most innocuous way possible: "Oh are there are night clubs here?"
Next day newspaper reports on Pope’s visit were something like this: "On landing the airport, the first question the Pope asked was whether there are any night clubs…"
I am reminded of this story - often repeated to about journalists’ quest for sensationalism - on reading a posting by action hero Jackie Chan on his website. http://www.jackiechan.com/message_view?cid=1048 It is dated April 27.
His lengthy posting was meant to clear up a controversy caused by media reports that he refused to eat Indian food and that he declined to talk to anyone and dismissed Indian stars during his recent visit to Chennai for an audio release of Kamal Haasan-starrer Tamil movie Dasavatharam.
"One article accused me of ridiculous things like refusing to drink
Terming all the reports "complete nonsense", he said that he had nothing but respect for Indian culture and Indian cinema. "And saying that I won’t eat Indian food! Nothing could be further from the truth; I adore Indian food, and in fact had two excellent meals on this trip and was so full I could barely leave my seat!," he said in the website.
The actor has challenged the reporters to prove that he actually brought his own water and asked them to check up with the housekeepers at the hotel whether he did such a thing.
"What brand did I bring? You say I refused to eat Indian food. Do your research and talk to the three butlers the hotel assigned to my room and ask them what I ate! You say I holed up in my air-conditioned hotel room, ignoring my hosts. Why would I travel all the way to
He said that he had put up with a lot of ridiculous things written about him as he had been in the public eye for many years and that he seldom attacked anyone. But, it seems that he couldn’t hold it anymore. He said that few "irresponsible reporters" had spoiled the memory of his trip to
So this is not the end of it all. He also narrates one more instance of how journalists’ innate penchant for sensationalism can be damaging.
When some reporters asked him about his participation in the Olympic torch run, he jokingly answered that "no one had better try to come near me while I’m carrying the torch." "I said it as a joke, and believe me, I made it quite clear that I was fooling around," he wrote on his website.
But his comments were more than enough fodder for the media as the next day, news reports poured in with headlines like "Jackie Chan Threatens Olympic Protestors" and "Kung Fu Star Will Chop Down Protestors."
This is a classic case of how media’s senseless actions can vitiate things; in this case adding fuel to the Tibetan cauldron, (His participation in the torch run had grabbed media headlines worldwide on account of his pro-Chinese stand.)
I don’t think even the most cynical would completely disbelieve in Jackie Chan’s version, at least his argument with regard to the Olympic torch run.
This is just another case of media indulging in the obnoxious practice of sensationalism.
Should there be an authority to rein in such practices that run contrary to journalist ethics?
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