Perceived stars of Hong Kong’s entertainment industry have frothed in fury about published photos allegedly showing Cantopop singer Gillian Chung switching costumes backstage at a Malaysian concert.

The offending Easy Finder magazine has attracted court action, boisterous complaints and bitter denunciatons, the latter by singers and actors at a press conference. Government officials soon weighed in, offering words of support that carry ominous overtones for press freedoms.

Normally, these performers thrive on attention and exploit the media for publicity. Yet they demand special protection for their privacy, an inflated issue unworthy of public attention.

On occasions when the media infringe unfairly on personal privacy, the victims launch legal action. Appropriately, Ms Chung and Easy Finder look ready to battle in court, precisely as should happen.

In Hong Kong, where the elites govern and preen, where meaningful democracy stays a distant dream, where a wealth gap yawns and where pollution damages public health, real troubles proliferate.

Privacy concerns by the privileged minority pale beside the need for press freedoms. What else protects the citizens from potentially rampant abuses by business tycoons and the unelected governments in Beijing and Hong Kong?



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