Yes 300 CONFIDENTIAL
FM HONG KONG
TO PRIORITY FCO
TELNO 1564
OF 231055Z APRIL 87
INFO PRIORITY PEKING
41
Confidential
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HKD BOYi
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2 4 APR 1987
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MIPT: FILM CENSORSHIP
1. FOLLOWING IS LIST OF QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:
Q.1 WHAT IS THE LEGAL BASIS FOR BANNING THIS FILM?
A.1 THE FILM WAS EXAMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FILM CENSORSHIP
REGULATIONS AND THE FNSOR APPLIED THE PRINCIPLES ENUNCIATED IN
THE NOTE OF GUIDANCE ON FILM CENSORSHIP STANDARDS PUBLISHED IN 1973.
IT IS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE ARE DOUBTS ABOUT THE VIRES OF THE REGULATIONS AND CONSEQUENTLY THE LEGALITY OF THE CENSORSHIP PROCESS.
HOWEVER THE PROCESS HAS NOT BEEN SUCCESSFULLY CHALLENGED IN THE
COURTS. IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES THE AUTHORITIES MUST CONTINUE TO EXAMINE FILMS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PUBLISHED GUIDELINES.
Q.2 WAS CHINA CONSULTED BEFORE A DECISION TO BAN THE FILM WAS TAKEN?
A.2 NO
3.3 IS THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT BANNING THE FILA UNDER PRESSURE
FROM CHINA?
A.3 NO. THE DECISION WAS MADE BY THE CENSOR BECAUSE HE CONSIDERED
THE PUBLIC EXHIBITION OF THE FILM WAS LIKELY TO DAMAGE HONG KONG'S
RELATIONS WITH ANOTHER TERRITORY.
Q.4 HAS ACCOUNT BEEN TAKEN OF CHINA'S LIKELY REACTION TO THE
EXHIBITION OF THE FILM?
A.4 THE DECISION WAS MADE BY THE CENSOR BECAUSE HE CONSIDERED THE
PUBLIC EXHIBITION OF THE FILM WAS LIKELY TO DAMAGE HONG KONG'S
RELATIONS WITH CHINA.
WILSON
HMLNAN 1884,
LIMITED.
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FETS
INFO D
PS/MRRENTON
Me Gillmore MRC MC LAREN
Confidential
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