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98. Hong Kong is blessed with a diverse, vigorous and free press. With 70 daily newspapers, 600 magazines, three television stations and three radio stations, we are not wanting for vehicles of expression for the full range of public opinion. Every one of our newspapers, radio and television stations is free to report on any issue they wish and to criticise, question and challenge the Government as they see fit.
99. I have heard the arguments for a Freedom of Information Ordinance and for a review of current laws which might have a bearing on press freedom. I understand these important concerns. In a free society, they merit serious attention. We cannot take press freedom for granted. But I should make clear at the outset my serious doubts about the value of general declaratory legislation. Such legislation frequently has the opposite of the intended effect. But, having listened carefully to the representations made to me, I am prepared to look again at what might be done to extend access to information and to review laws which might infringe press freedom. A review has been under way since August. I will ask the Executive Council to advise me, before the end of the year, on what action might be taken to address these concerns.
Administrative Complaints
100. There is one additional element in our arrangements for ensuring that the Government is held accountable to the community for its decisions and actions, which I think is underdeveloped. This is the Office of the Commissioner for Administrative Complaints or COMAC. We will be proposing three changes:
at present, members of the public can only ask the Commissioner to investigate their complaints through a non-official member of this Council. In future, the public should have the right to take complaints directly to the Commissioner;
—at present, the Commissioner is unable to publicise his investigation reports. This restriction should be lifted. But, of course, we must continue to protect the privacy of the people involved;
-the Commissioner's jurisdiction should be extended to include com-
plaints against statutory bodies such as the MTRC and the KCRC.
With these changes, the Commissioner's Office will prove a more effective safeguard against maladministration and the arbitrary use of administrative power.
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