2
3
Hong Kong people in China. We just want the citizens to feel that
we are enjoying more and more freedom of expression so that they will have greater and greater confidence.
lo. 4
sc 3 5
Sir, with these remarks I support the Motion raised by Mr. Martin Lee.
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Gefle 15
16
17
18
MRS ROSANNA TAM (in Cantonese):
Sir, the Film Censorship Regulations 1987 gazetted on the 5th June is essentially a contingency measure, and the objective of the measure is to provide a legal status to the existing Note of Guidance on Film Censorship Standards, and hence remove the legal loopholes during the interim. Since it is meant to be an expedient measure, there is really no need to amend hastily the Note of guidance to avoid pre-empting public perception and opinions or the review of the existing legislation on film censorship. Therefore, I do not agree with Mr. Martin Lee's Moti
Motion to delete the provision regarding political censorship from the Film Censorship Regulations 1987.
We know that the consultation period on the film censor- 19 ship bill has not ended. The government and the Legislative Council 20 are still listening to public views.
to public views. So today I would not go into detailed discussion on whether we need political censorship as a long- term measure.
21
22
23
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
24
25
26
27
29
In
Today I hope the Members will take note of one point. a modern society freedom of expression forms one of our basic human rights and, of course, nobody should be deprived of this right. However, the actual realisation of this freedom depends upon the objective environment of our society. I don't think we should have 28 this freedom without limit. It is very important to us that we have good relations with other territories. Should we not take this factor into account when we provide for freedom of expression? Indeed, in reviewing the existing legislation on film censorship we should not only consider whether we should retain or delete this censorship standard of whether the film is seriously prejudicial to good relationships with territories outside of Hong Kong. In retaining the standard we should also consider such other options as intro- ducing clear guidelines or setting up an appeal tribunal, , etc, to
30
31
32
33
34
35
36