It is often said that with power comes great responsibility. The media, commonly referred to as the fourth power or the fourth estate given their capacity to influence the status quo, thus faces an important choice when portraying members of an underrepresented community: does the story reinforce insensitivity and prejudice that underlie the disadvantages they face, or does it help counter stereotypes and pave the way for positive change?

That is the perspective EOC Chairperson Mr Ricky CHU Man-kin drove home in a number of media interviews this month, as debates erupted over the portrayal of a Filipino domestic worker in a local TV drama series. He also published an article in The Standard and Inmedia, writing that migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong are rarely seen as unique individuals, and that the media can play a valuable role in empowering the community.

“The ‘foreign domestic worker‘ identity is so overriding that their roles as women, mothers, Hong Kong residents, and employees are always overlooked,” wrote Mr Chu. “The media can play an important part in breaking stereotypes by describing the community from multiple perspectives and avoiding accentuating their racial features.”

Mr Chu also highlighted other difficulties the community continues to face: “With their workplace being their home, the boundaries of being ‘on duty’, ‘off duty’ and ‘on standby’ for them are often blurred. Employers and their families may not be always mindful of the helper’s need for personal space and rest. To some of them, working hours start as soon as they wake up till bedtime, with no genuine rest until Sunday. The EOC has also encountered cases of unlawful dismissal of pregnant and sick domestic workers.”

“Foreign domestic helpers are an integral part of Hong Kong and their contribution should never be undermined. Treat them with respect as one would expect,” Mr Chu concluded.

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