condemned a racy Hong Kong tabloid on Friday for publishing a topless photograph of a local actress taken when she had reportedly been kidnapped 12 years ago.Over a dozen entertainers and directors appeared at a news conference in Hong Kong to call for a boycott of the "East Week" magazine, whose decision to publish the photograph on its cover has ignited a fiery debate in the territory about media ethics.
The photograph has triggered public outrage, with the government's Television and Entertainment Licencing Authority flooded with nearly 200 complaints since Wednesday.
"We strongly protest against East Week's marketing efforts that are built on the pain of a victim of violence," said Ng See Yuen, chairman of the Federation of Hong Kong Film Workers, which represents over 1,000 people in the industry.
"How can Hong Kong sink to such a level, so as not to care about the damage done to a person just to earn a few more cents?" he said.
The magazine hit newsstands on Wednesday and shows the actress cowering in an unidentified location.
Though her eyes are shaded out, many film fans in Hong Kong know her identity. Local papers say she was kidnapped and viciously assaulted 12 years ago, though a police report was never made.
East Week magazine said it decided to publish after an internal debate.
"This decision was based on the spirit of the media revealing the truth and to flex its monitoring muscle," it said in a statement.
"We want to protect the victim and definitely do not wish to insult or harm her. Unfortunately, other media organisations have sullied the matter with their reporting."
Some of Hong Kong's tabloid newspapers and magazines are shockingly racy. Apart from gruesome pictures from accident scenes, some sport daily supplements featuring brothel guides, complete with ratings.
Veteran singer Anita Mui told the news conference: "This magazine tramples on the dignity of all women and I urge all women to protest against this magazine." Reuters
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