talk back

Q Should students affected by the power outage have their marks changed?

Every student wants to have a good result in their examinations, especially in the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE). However, accidents always happen.

Students affected by the power outage think their results may have been affected. If all the air conditioners, lights and fans suddenly stop working, students cannot concentrate on the examination and it is very hard for a candidate to keep a clear mind to answer the paper.

The clock was wrong, too. If candidates relied on the clock, they may have been misled. The answers provided may not have been the best they were capable of. Therefore, their marks should be changed because their performances may have been affected.

Tony Chan Yat Hin, Tsing Yi

Oh yes! They definitely should change the students' marks. Students have worked so hard for the HKCEE. But the power cut disturbed their concentration. And two blackouts during the examination was unfair to the students.

What if some students had eyesight problems? What about the clock? The supervisor at the examination centre should have announced to the students immediately that the time shown on the clock was incorrect. How would the students know that the clock didn't use batteries? They wouldn't have thought that the clock was also affected by the power cut. If you hang a clock on the wall, you should know that all the students taking the exam will be watching it for the time. And while they are sitting there innocently taking their examination, thinking that there was still a lot of time left to do their papers, the supervisor suddenly announced that the clock was actually wrong. To conclude, I really do think that the students should have their marks changed.

Joey Wong, Tin Hau

Q Should the adult film industry be free to recruit at job fairs?

The adult movie industry is flourishing in Japan and Korea. Many Hong Kong citizens, however, cannot accept those movies since many of them are considered to transgress moral principles.

Nevertheless, Hong Kong is a modern city and any profit-seeking opportunities should not be missed.

Besides, being a porn star is a recognised occupation all over the world; it should not be viewed with bias. Since it does not transgress the law, forbidding pornographic advertisements is damaging to the local film industry.

Lo Po Kan, Ho Man Tin

Q How do you rate William Hung's singing and dancing?

The article on William Hung's press conference certainly shed light on why this dysfunctional adult behaves as he does. He was presented as a joke and he continues not to understand that the joke is on him.

Hung's family is obviously cashing in while they can. Perhaps they should take some of the money and fix his teeth. He is psychologically immature not to have had at least a taste of romance at his age.

He can't sing. He is fat. He has bad teeth. In the perception of the western world he represents all that is wrong with Asian youth - a product of overbearing and overprotective parents.

He obviously doesn't get it. His parents certainly don't. Where will William be in five years? Probably fatter, probably still with bad teeth. Sad. Very, very sad.

Charles Swindle, Central

Q Should the government provide more assistance to the film industry?

Yes, for economic purposes. Hong Kong films bring a great capital inflow from overseas. Giving more assistance would greatly enhance the quality and popularity of Hong Kong films.

The money could be used on training new blood. This would help to ease the problem of youth unemployment.

Also, many local films are unexciting. I believe the extra funds could help film directors generate more new and exciting ideas.

Apart from this, it is feasible for the Hong Kong film industry to co-operate with foreign film directors.

Vincent Leung Tak Ming, Yuen Long

The film industry has recently been boosted by the improving economy and filmmakers hope to get more funds from the government to train an extra 1,000 workers to cope with the demand.

Initially, I did not think the government should give them extra money because they have already been given $100 million in the past. The government cannot always lend a hand to everyone who asks for help. However, after rethinking the situation, I agree that the government should offer help.

The standard of Hong Kong movies is very high. We have world-class actors and producers and many Hong Kong movies are comparable with the productions in Hollywood.

The Hong Kong film industry is famous around the world and it is the pride of Hongkongers.

It has taken plenty of time and a lot of hard work over several generations to make the industry a success.

At a time when the Hong Kong movie industry can be further developed, we should grab the chance.

The government has been promoting the creative industries. Providing aid could give more opportunities to people who are interested in art to show their talents.

Therefore, the government should provide more assistance to the film industry to train more professionals to help keep Hong Kong movies shining.

Melody Chu, Tokwawan

Q Is it fair for NOW Broadband to charge for individual sports events?

I used to be a member of NOW Broadband. However, I rarely watched sports events or charged films. It is not fair for NOW Broadband to charge for individual sports events as well as other shows. That's really discouraging members from enjoying such entertainment.

Although the member fee per month is inexpensive, it doesn't mean that NOW should charge for individual sports events. I find it more reasonable for NOW Broadband to charge for all sports events in one bill.

Jerry Kat Cheung, Ho Man Tin

I refer to your story in which you reported on NOW Broadband's plans to charge $480 for the USPGA and Ryder Cup.

I subscribed to NOW Broadband in December 2003. At that time, as part of their marketing (both on their website and otherwise) PCCW advertised the USPGA and the Ryder Cup as part of the package available to Golf Channel subscribers. I do no recollect any mention that there would be a separate charge for these events, and the implication that these two events were included in the Golf Channel package was a factor in my decision to subscribe.

The use of the USPGA and Ryder Cup (including those events' official logos on their website) was clearly designed to induce people such as myself to subscribe to the Golf Channel package. Doing this without making it clear that there would be a separate charge amounts, at a minimum, to an actionable misrepresentation and may even constitute a fraudulent misrepresentation.

In addition, I'm not sure that the Consumer Council spokesperson quoted in your story is correct: regardless of the contents of the subscriber contract, PCCW can and should be held accountable for any separate liability they may face for misrepresenting the conditions of subscribing to the Golf Channel package.

Jeremy Collard, Stanley