Members of Hong Kong singing group, Gillian Chung (L) and Charlene Choi hold a banner which reads "Dignity" during a news conference entitled "Privacy and dignity: Hong Kong people's business" in Hong Kong August 28, 2006. Semi-nude photos of Chung taken with a hidden camera have sparked an uproar among fans and women's right groups. (Reuters)gfQ中国英语学习网

A telephone and face-to face survey conducted by the Democratic Alliance for Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) from August 25 to 27 shows 80 per cent of the people will boycott the magazine in response to the calls by various organizations.

An overwhelming majority (90 per cent) of the 667 respondents said the sleazy photographs would have a negative impact on youngsters, while 88 per cent considered it an insult to women. That existing regulations don't have enough control over publications carrying obscene materials was felt by more than 81 per cent.

Since there are no laws at present to punish privacy violation, for example, by using spy cameras , offenders should get the maximum penalty under the Control of Obscene and Indecent Articles Ordinance , Young DAB Chairman Horace Cheung said yesterday.

"Laws punishing such offences are not only urgent, but also the only long-term solution. The government should promote the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance to strengthen public awareness of privacy issues," he said.

The DAB Women Affairs Committee Chairperson urged the local media to exercise self-discipline, and asked residents to stand up for decency.

The Hong Kong Press Council has received a few dozen complaints against Easy Finder that include those from Chung's agent. Press Council Chairman Edward Chen said they expected the magazine to respond to their lawyer's letter in the next few days.

"The council will examine the issue and make a decision this week. Our actions are not legally binding, though, and the most drastic one will be public condemnation," Chen said.

Public uproar has continued to rise, with the Television & Entertainment Licensing Authority getting close to 2,500 complaints against Easy Finder till yesterday. A women's rights coalition will observe a protest today, demanding that the government tackle the legal loopholes in existing regulations.

(Agencies)