Paparazzi (狗仔隊) probe: TVB artists complain to watchdog over “peeping-Tom” (偷窺狂) press

Paparazzi (狗仔隊) probe: TVB artists complain to watchdog over “peeping-Tom” (偷窺狂) press

The privacy watchdog has launched (note 1) an investigation into complaints by three TVB artists (藝人)- including actor-singer Bosco Wong Chung-chak - that the paparazzi are violating (侵犯) their right to privacy (私隱).

Wong yesterday went to the Privacy Commission along with Yoyo Chen Chi- yiu and Vincent Wong Ho-shun to lodge (提出) an official complaint. Bosco Wong was furious when censored nude photos of himself in his Fo Tan home were splashed across the cover (note 2) of Sudden Weekly magazine - owned by Jimmy Lai - two weeks ago.

He explained earlier he usually did not draw the curtains (把窗簾放下) as he preferred to let sunlight into his flat and had a habit of (習慣) not wearing clothes after showering. "As a celebrity, I already expected that I will have no privacy, but [the nude photos were taken] in my bedroom. This is way beyond the limit (note 3)," he said angrily.

Photos also showed Wong's girlfriend Myolie Wu Hang-yee, who recently moved into the Fo Tan apartment above his, visiting his home and sharing meals with him. The two were photographed kissing. The "Peeping Tom" paparazzi also spent three days taking pictures of Vincent Wong and girlfriend Yoyo Chen through the window of his Tseung Kwan O apartment showing them hugging and kissing in various states of undress, with a colorful headline describing how the pair had "made out for 72 hours."

Appearing calm, Bosco Wong said this was a major breach (note 4) of his privacy. He is optimistic the commission will take proper action. The artists spent more than two hours giving statements (落口供) at the commission. "We are also people and we have our own dreams (note 5)," said Bosco Wong, who is currently working on his upcoming drama Lives of Omission."Our personal lives at home are our own business, not something for public knowledge."

From good to better English:

(note 1) launch=開展。launch a ship from a shipyard=船下水儀式。launch a satellite =發射人造衛星。launch a new enterprise=創辦新企業。

(note 2) splashed across the cover=在封面顯眼地展示。Splash= 揮霍錢財。Make a splash=引人注意。On the wall of Victor’s office was splashed his certificates of merit=在辦公室的牆上高懸著Victor的獎狀。

(note 3) way beyond the limit=超越可以容忍的地步。 Limit=界線。reach the limit of one's patience=忍無可忍。the age limit for applying for the Dean Fung scholarship=申請巔峰獎學金的年齡限制。Off limits to all unauthorized personnel= 閒人免進。

(note 4) breach= 違犯。a breach of contract=違約。breach of trust=背叛。breach of duty=失職

(note 5) we have our own dreams=我們都有夢想。It is beyond my dream=那是我夢想不到的。Ivy wishes you sweet dreams=Ivy向你道晚安。

Victor’s View: There is always a dilemma between the public’s right to know and celebrities’ right to privacy. Paparazzi will continue to operate as long as there is strong demand for “juicy” photos of famous people. It seems that celebrities will have to go an extra mile to protect their privacy.

(Victor Fung Keung, director of HK Baptist University’s M.A. in international journalism program, has published 3 books on English-enhancement and plans to write 7 more by the end of 2012. Write to him: deanfungenglish@gmail.com)