On May 13th, in a shopping mall in Qingdao, Shandong province, a female host from Qingdao TV was refused an interview by a couple, and in response, she sarcastically commented that the couple had broken up. Following this incident, the host was suspended from her duties.
The incident quickly gained attention on social media platforms in mainland China with the trending topic “Husband and Wife Refuse Interview and Host ‘Divorces’ on Air.” A video posted by netizens claimed that when they were at Leke City with their girlfriend, an individual claiming to be from a television station approached them for an interview, asking them how they were spending the May 20th holiday. “We replied with a smile that we were not celebrating 520, and then walked away. This female host said loudly, ‘They’ve broken up.’ I went to ask her to apologize, but she evaded responsibility.”
In the video, the man questioned the female host, “We said we weren’t celebrating, and you immediately said ‘They’ve broken up’.” The host denied this. The man repeated his question, prompting the female host to claim she was actually saying “Wishing you a sweet love life.” The man and a girl beside him both questioned the host, accusing her of lying. The man demanded an apology from the female host, who quickly responded, “I apologize to you. You have a great temperament and are lucky to have found this gentle and beautiful girl. Treat her well,” she added jokingly.
After the incident gained attention, on May 14th, the program “Love at First Sight” from Qingdao TV issued a statement regarding the inappropriate language used by the host during the interview. Following verification, it was confirmed that the individual involved was an employee of the program, and it was decided to suspend the individual’s work immediately and launch an investigation.
Netizens expressed that accepting an interview is an individual’s right, and no one should be forced to do so. “As the conveyors of the people’s voices, the first thing to do is to watch what comes out of your mouth. It is basic courtesy not to express your own opinions towards the interviewee on the spot.” “If they can’t achieve their goal, they relentlessly ‘attack.’ Are people nowadays so selfish and narrow-minded? This host is feeling guilty.”
The incident has sparked discussions on the importance of professionalism and respect in journalism, emphasizing the need for responsible behavior and ethical conduct when interacting with interviewees. In a world where communication plays a significant role in shaping public opinion, the incident serves as a reminder of the repercussions of inappropriate conduct in the media industry.