Privacy and media intrusion in the spotlight
(HK Edition)
Updated: 2004-12-10 09:26

What may constitute a privacy infringement in a press report?

Hong Kong Law Reform Commission (LRC) offers about 300 incidents of "prima facie" media intrusions in the report "Privacy and Media Intrusion". The following is one example:

On October 7, 2002, a woman was robbed, forced to strip naked, and then held hostage by a man as he tried to escape arrest by the police.

The next day, Apple Daily published on its front page five pictures at the scene, of which three showed the victim naked, with her hands tied behind her back, while being held hostage at knife-point on the street.

In the pictures, the victim's eyes, breasts and private parts were obscured.

The paper disclosed the victim's surname, age, nationality and full address.

It reported that she was earning a living as a prostitute at that address, and that the man had attempted to rape her before the police arrived.

The paper's keen rival, Oriental Daily News, carried similar coverage.

The LRC noted in its report that the woman, as a victim of crime, was entitled to privacy protection even though the incident happened in a public place.

Close

Fan Bingbing Twins' new album to release tomorrow China bans Nike TV ad as national insult

Today's Top News     Top Life News
Coal mine explosion kills 33 in north China         Market recognition benefits China, EU         Foreign trade tops US$1 trillion         Polluting steel plants moving out of Beijing         Government aims to fatten farmers' wallets         Al Qaeda to attempt major marine attack	TV ad rule tightened after Nike uproar       Growing tolerance towards homosexuals in China       Japanese animation catching on in US       Privacy and media intrusion in the spotlight       Space hero Yang Liwei receives doctorate degree       New Confucius? 'Bobisms' rule in China