The Hong Kong Performing Artistes Guild on Wednesday condemned
the increasing circulation and uploading of obscene photos on the
Internet, purportedly of local celebrities.
The latest example posted online Tuesday was a photo of a
partially dressed woman resembling actress Cecilia Cheung. Other
victims have included pop stars Edison Chen and Gillian Chung, who
both appear in bed together semi-naked.
Alan Tam, the guild's chairman, said the issue had been elevated
to a social topic. "The circulation of such obscene photos has
created a bad atmosphere in society," he said.
Tam warned people to take care with their personal digital
files.
Edison Chen and Gillian
Chung in this still from a music video. (file photo:
sina.com.cn)
A guild board member, Astrid Chan, said obscene photos of
members of the public had also been uploaded, setting a bad example
for youngsters.
She said the artists involved had yet to get in touch with the
guild, but the management company of one had been in contact.
Chen's management company, Rich and Famous, confirmed it had
reported the matter to police. Chen is out of town for an
indefinite period, a company spokesman said.
"We believe this incident was more likely a joke in bad taste,"
a spokesman said. "But it appears (the person who put up the
photos) has an intention to attack Edison deliberately and we
should stop that."
Chung's label, Emperor Entertainment, also reported the matter
to police. Her company insisted the photos were manipulated with
computer software and urged the media not to publish the
photos.
Hong Kong police launched an investigation Tuesday as more nude
pictures purported to be of Hong Kong stars were posted online.
A police spokeswoman said the Commercial Crime Bureau was
investigating "two reported cases of publishing indecent articles
on the Internet."
In 2006, a Hong Kong tabloid magazine that published photos
portraying Chung changing her clothes was classified as class II
indecent, meaning it should not have been sold to people under the
age of 18.
(Agencies via Shenzhen Daily February 2, 2008)
