*
8.2
by some other means. basically to protect,
is
The spirit of legislation
and not to restrict. It will be adequate to stress that the HKSAR will have independen: judicial power.
Issues on the bottom line for freedom of the press:
1) As regards whether freedom of the press should have a bottom line. the Hong Kong press holds unanimously that A bottom line of freedom of the press should not be drawn in the Basic Law. The reason is that even though members of the press should not enjoy more rights than ordinary citizens, neither should they enjoy less. If a bottom line is drawn in the Basic Law, it will only restrict freedom of the press and exert invisible pressure on Journalists who consequently will not be able fulfil the responsibilities of their profession.
ii) The press of Hong Kong admits that press freedom is not absolute, but the court's arbitration is required only when it infringes upon other freedom. The abuse of press
freedom
can be restrained by legislation and independent judicial system.
an
9.
Consensus
Hong Kong, as a capitalist society. has all along been enjoying freedom of the press. Under the concept of "One country, Two systems", the Basic Law must safeguard freedom of the press in order to maintain Hong Kong's previous lifestyle successfully. In addition, the conventions and and case laws of the capitalist community of Hong Kong should serve as the basis on which freedom of the press 18 interpreted. It 19 inadvisable to include any provisions which may interfere in the press freedom or the freedom speech. Freedom of the press should be listed with the freedom of speech and of publication in the Basic Law.
of
If there is any discrepancy between the Chinese and the English versions. the Chinese version shall prevail.
12