Freedom of speech is a fundamental right that every citizen enjoys. But while speaking in public places, especially to or for the media, one should never cross the basic moral baseline, says an article in Shanghai Business. Excerpts:

On Aug 3, Guo Meimei, a rich young woman notorious for linking herself with the Red Cross in China, and her mother gave an interview to Larry Lang, an economist and commentator, on a TV show. But far from clearing people's doubts about Guo's links with the Red Cross, the show left viewers more confused.

The purpose of the interview was to clear Guo's relationship with the Red Cross. But Lang seemed more eager to induce Guo into saying that her godfather is Wang Jun, who is on the board of directors of a company with ties with the Red Cross. Wang holds shares in the company, and the money he gave Guo to buy a sports car didn't come from the Red Cross but from the company.

But even after the TV interview, we don't know the relation of Wang's company with the Red Cross, and whether the Red Cross has similar business operations. Besides, some comments made by Guo and her mother didn't relate to what they had said earlier.

The interview provided false information, too. To portray Guo as a wealthy woman, her mother said she is rich because she has invested in stocks and earned millions of yuan.

Such misuse of freedom of speech challenges the moral baseline of society. Maybe Guo and her mother are confused about moral and social values. But why should a professional and the media get involved in it?

China Daily

(China Daily 08/10/2011 page9)