1992-05-18 14:29 I C/C S O
852 845 2129 P.02
Translation of an article in thể HK Economic Journal by Yu Kam-yin on the new Governor on 12.5.92
Headline: Chris Patten favours reporters back home
Motto: "Ifir ain't broke.
break it! "If the facts don't fit
change them!”
The exclusive interview that Chris Patten had with UK reporters has made the local media feel very disappointed.
They are disappointed not because the UK media had an exclusive interview ahead of them, but because of a promise the HK Government beforehand. It was said that once the appointment of the new Governor was firm, GIS would arrange an interview for the HK media to avoid any chaos caused by attempts to scramble for such interviews.
However, after London's announcement on appointing Mr Patten as the new Governor, a press conference was indeed arranged very shortly but most of the attendants were UK journalists. Many issues that were closely related to HK's interests had not been raised, making the session a waste of time.
After that, Mr Patten had dodged all reporters and had declined all interviews. A press conference which HK reporters thought would be arranged for them to raise questions had again failed to materialise. Mr Patten still favoured leading journalists at home. HK reporters were unhappy about they had seen.
་
This
The interview that Mr Patten had this time was with TV-am, a station specialising in the production of morning programmes, station had failed in its bidding for a licence and was on the verge of closing down. But since it had secured an exclusive interview, it could sell it for good profits. Not only because the programme had HK audience, Mr Patten, who was previously Chairman of the Conservative Party and a fairly well-known figure internationally, also enabled the station to fetch a higher sale price for this exclusive interview.
Every time Mr Patten spoke publicly, he would not forget to remind various sectors that his prime task was to protect the interests of HK people. Whether he would succeed in that task would depend on further observation. But ever since Mr Patten knew that he would become the Governor of HK, he has never thought of having an interview with the HK media. The attitude of being "pro-British" and "keeping HK at a distance" would make people wonder whether his pledge to protect the interests of HK people would materialise. His pledge had immediately become less credible. Policians used to say one thing and act in