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In disposing of Clause 20, there is just a small
question mark that remains in my mind. I am absolutely convinced that in the case of a closed meeting, the publisher of reports of the proceeding of that meeting should not be open
to prosecution. However, should the Council decide to give an undertaking to a third party who come forward to give evidence
that his submission as well as the proceeding of the meeting in
which he is asked to take part will be kept confidential, there
is presently no legal safeguard that the Council or its
committee can make good its promise. I hope this point will be
covered after we have given it some deliberation. Perhaps a
leaf can be taken out of the book of Section 5 of the Judicial
Proceedings (Regulations of Reports) Ordinance in which the
Court is enpowered to prohibit publication of certain
proceedings and information relating to them.
Subject to the acceptance of the proposed deletion of
Clause 17 (d) and Clause 20 at the Committee Stage, whereby I
believe the present freedom of the media in its work on the Council will be preserved, I support the Bill.