PTAAEO
CONFIDENTIAL
VISIT OF LORD GLENARTHUR TO HONG KONG: 29 JUNE-1 JULY 1988
BRIEF NO 14: PUBLIC ORDER (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE AND FILM
CENSORSHIP
Objectives
a)
Public Order (Amendment) Ordinance to emphasise the Ordinance does no more than maintain the status quo.
b)
Film Censorship to support the new Film Censorship
Ordinance.
Points to Make (Defensive)
[With OMELCO and others]
PUBLIC ORDER (AMENDMENT) ORDINANCE
Provision is not a new one. Hong Kong media remain as free
and outspoken in their comment as ever.
Hong Kong Government have decided to carry out a formal review
at the end of the year. This fulfils their earlier commitment to review situation in light of experience.
FILM CENSORSHIP
Hong Kong Government consider, and we agree, that they need
some powers which can be used in extreme cases to control exhibition
of films.
Note that Ordinance was passed by substantial majority of LegCo. We believe that the recent amendment requiring account to be
taken of Article 15 of the International Covenant of Civil and
Political Rights should meet most objections to the earlier drafts
of Bill.
CONFIDENTIAL
IS