'Investigative' Net sex video sparks review

A government watchdog intervened yesterday after the Cyber Daily online newspaper showed pornographic video footage on its Web site on the pretext of 'investigative journalism'.

The Television and Entertainment Licensing Authority (Tela) said it would hold talks with Internet service providers about possible new controls on the publication of adult material.

It said articles, including video footage and other visual images, transmitted on the Internet were subject to the Control of Obscene And Indecent Articles Ordinance.

Tela said the Cyber Daily video, which showed a journalist having sex with a prostitute while investigating vice, should be restricted to people 18 or above. Cyber Daily had put a warning notice on its Web site.

'Similar to many other overseas jurisdictions, our policy is to encourage Internet service providers to adopt a self-regulatory approach in dealing with indecent and obscene articles on the Internet,' a spokesman said.

'The Hong Kong Internet Service Providers Association has issued a Code of Practice to its members to this effect. Tela will explore with the association the issue of verification in respect of adult materials on the Internet.'