The Women's Commission has expressed serious concern about the recent suspected theft and widespread circulation of nude photos purporting to be artistes and the way in which some media organisations handled the reporting of the incident, in particular the repeated publication of the relevant photos prominently in newspapers and magazines, and detailed description of these photos.

The commission considered that personal privacy should be respected. The act of uploading, transmitting or publishing these photos in newspapers and magazines had not only intruded on the privacy of those concerned and caused them grievous harm, but also had negative impact on social values and the younger generation. The commission appeals to the public to stop uploading and transmitting the photos, and urges the media to avoid exaggerating the matter when further reporting the incident.

Ends/Friday, February 15, 2008