Divorce case exploited for free publicity

Actor Wang Baoqiang (L)and his wife Ma Rong pose on the red carpet as they arrive for the screening of the film A Touch of Sin during the 66th Cannes Film Festival in Cannes on May 17,2013.[Photo/Agencies]

AS SCHEDULED the hearing of the divorce case between actor Wang Baoqiang and his wife the actress Ma Rong, started at the People's Court of Chaoyang District, Beijing, on Tuesday, attracting a lot of attention. Xinhua News Agency commented on Wednesday:

Most people will try to keep their marriage troubles low key. As the saying goes it is better not to disclose family scandals to outsiders.

But some movie stars publicize their marital problems in social media postings, at press conferences and even at media events for the launch of their latest films. They put their family ugliness into the huge vat of public opinion where it continues to ferment.

Such behavior is an abuse of traditional Chinese morality.

As some netizens said, the divorce case has proved to be good publicity for the film the actor directed. It is a farce carefully planned for the interests of the film company rather than a normal divorce case.

When the divorce proceedings are amplified by media reports, there follows an explosion of opinions on social media platforms.

No wonder some netizens have suggested gaining publicity in this way is a new profit model for film and television companies.

The majority of portal users are actually being used in such celebrity dramas, becoming invisible means of advertising.