Tougher porn laws pondered

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Source: South China Morning Post

By: Agnes Lam

(HONG KONG) — Tighter laws may be introduced to curb an increasing amount of pornography in newspapers, a licensing official said yesterday.

Convictions relating to obscene articles in newspapers have tripled in the past year – 24 last year compared with seven in 1998. Of these, 18 were for advertising by prostitutes.

The number of publications classified as Class II, which means they carry obscene materials and must bear a warning label and have an opaque cover, rose to 96 last year compared with 40 in 1998. The publications included pictures of prostitutes, recommendations of their services and descriptions of sexual performance.

The figures were released by the Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority.

Speaking at an Anti-Sex and Violence Forum yesterday, acting commissioner Lee Chung-sin said the Government was considering legal amendments. Parents, social workers and teachers took part in the forum.