actually thats what these 100 or so stars were doing, was boycotting the magazine...
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A day before the publication of Easy Finder's next issue, celebrities, government members and women's rights groups flocked to TVB City calling on the public to boycott the magazine for publishing indecent photos of Twins member Gillian Chung Yan-tung.
"Please do not buy the magazine," cried Chung Monday as she was surrounded by some of Hong Kong's most popular stars.
Overwhelmed by the ordeal, a teary- eyed Chung sat on the steps of the stage on which stood a galaxy of high-profile actors including Jackie Chan Andy Lau Tak-wah and Sandra Ng Kwun-yu.
"What I am most worried about are my young fans who look up to me as a role model," said Chung, nicknamed Ah Kiu.
The stars attending Monday's TV special lined up behind a backdrop that said: "Privacy. Dignity. Hong Kong People's Business."
Veteran actor-singer Lau said that, while any movie star's wrongdoings were fair game, the changing room was not.
"If Ah Kiu was taking drugs in a room and you took pictures of that, OK, report that. I'll help you crack down on her. But that's not the case," he said. "Our future is at stake."
Chan's colleagues echoed the same sentiments, emphasizing the need for legislation to protect children from such influences.
According to actor Daniel Wu Yan- zu, Western countries have created many laws to protect artists from the extreme actions of the paparazzi.
"Hong Kong should do the same," he said.
Uncertain about how many photos the magazine had of her changing clothes, Ch
ung said that if Easy Finder was not stopped it might publish more.
Chung's management company, Emperor Entertainment Group, has so far sent two lawyer's letters to the publisher which has made one public statement denying the use of a hidden camera.
The Women's Rights Association has collected 20,000 signatures in favor of stricter punishment and an amendment to the legislation.
"I don't know why those magazines are allowed to continue," WRA spokesperson Yolanda Ng Yuen-ping said. Ng said the government should control sensationalist tabloids and prevent the abuse of press freedom.
"Chung's ordeal has challenged the outdated legislation and calls for an amendment," Society for Truth and Light program director Chan Yin-ping said.
Easy Finder and parent company Next Media have repeatedly declined interviews with Chan and her group.
"It is not worth destroying a person's life to make a profit," Chan said.
Easy Finder has printed an estimated 15,000 additional copies since the controversy broke out last week.
"Those who are buying the magazine should rethink their moral standards," Chan added.
Solicitor and Legislative Council member Andrew Cheng Kar-foo advised Chung to sue Easy Finder and not shy away from taking legal action.
Asked whether or not the case fell within Hong Kong jurisdiction - as the offending photos were apparently taken in Malaysia - Cheng said if Chung could show they were taken by a Hong Kong reporter or photographer, she would have a good chance of winning the case.
Chung's supporters urged staff of other tabloid magazines to "stand up to their bosses and just say no" to such assignments.
Women's rights groups and the Society for Truth and Light also suggested that all profits made by Easy Finder be either confiscated by the government or donated to charity.
While Easy Finder remained in high demand Monday, lawmaker Chan Kam-lam said 90 percent of those surveyed by the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong agreed magazines like Easy Finder had a negative influence on society.
The Emperor Entertainment Group, meanwhile, lodged a complaint with the Hong Kong Press Council, demanding an investigation. Council chairman Edward Chen Kwan-yiu said that, although the council did not have any statutory power to penalize violators, it would write to the magazine to request an explanation. The council would also meet later this week to decide if it should condemn the publication.
Previously, Secretary for Home Affairs Patrick Ho Chi-ping said the way the photos had been taken was "irritating" and would not be tolerated by the community.
Saying he was upset by the incident, Ho added the authorities were monitoring the development of the case closely.
Complaints continue to flood the Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority, reaching a high of 2,488 by Monday evening.
This is the highest number of complaints received by TELA since 2002, and they continue to pour in.
Women's rights groups, as well as district councils, say they will continue to boycott the magazine and monitor Easy Finder's actions until legislation is amended.
The Hong Kong police will also continue to liaise with Malaysian authorities on their investigation into the case.
According to a recent TVB report, some reporters for tabloids are paid monthly salaries of up to HK$30,000 and receive extra bonuses for "special coverage."
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?
