WEDNESDAY, MAY 7, 1986
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DEFAMATION (AMENDMENT) BILL WELCOMED
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LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLOR, THE HON SELINA CHOW, TODAY (WEDNESDAY) WELCOMED THE LEGISLATIVE CLARIFICATION PROVIDED FOR BY THE DEFAMATION (AMENDMENT) BILL 1986.
SPEAKING AT THE RESUMED DEBATE OF THE BILL IN THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, MRS CHOW SAID THAT IN SPITE OF THE CONSUMER COUNCIL'S EFFORTS TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC BY EXPOSING THE FRAUDULENT PRACTICES OF UNETHICAL TRADERS, THE MEDIA WERE RELUCTANT TO REPORT THE NAMES OF THOSE RESPONSIBLE, FOR THEY WERE UNSURE WHETHER THE NAMED TRADERS MIGHT SUCCEED IN DEFAMATION ACTION AGAINST THEM FOR PUBLISHING THOSE NAMES.
+THE AMENDMENT WILL EXTEND QUALIFIED PRIVILEGE TO FAIR AND ACCURATE NEWSPAPER, TELEVISION AND RADIO REPORTS OF FUTURE CONSUMER COUNCIL NOTICES, SHE SAID,
MRS CHOW PRAISED THE ADMINISTRATION FOR ITS EXCEPTIONALLY SPEEDY WORK IN THE LEGISLATIVE AMENDMENT.
ALSO SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL, THE HON HUI YIN-FAT CALLED ON GOVERNMENT TO TAKE EFFECTIVE STEPS TO ENSURE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 28 OF THE DEFAMATION ORDINANCE AND OF SECTION 16 OF THE CORRUPT AND ILLEGAL PRACTICES ORDINANCE RECEIVED SUFFICIENT PUBLICITY IN FUTURE ELECTIONS.
MR HUI POINTED OUT THAT CLAUSE 3 OF THE BILL EXTENDED SECTION 28 OF THE ORDINANCE TO PREVENT THE DEFENCE OF QUALIFIED PRIVILEGE BEING AFFORDED TO DEFAMATORY STATEMENTS MADE BY CANDIDATES IN LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND DISTRICT BOARD ELECTIONS.
HE ADDED THAT SECTION 28 ALREADY COVERED URBAN COUNCIL AND REGIONAL COUNCIL ELECTIONS, AND IT WAS A TIMELY REMINDER OF THE NEED FOR FAIR PLAY TO CANDIDATES IN THE CONDUCT OF ELECTION CAMPAIGNS.
+CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM OF AN OPPONENT'S ELECTION PLATFORM IS ONE THING BUT UNFOUNDED PERSONAL ATTACKS UPON ONE'S OPPONENTS SHOULD HAVE NO PLACE IN ELECTIONS IN HONG KONG. HE STRESSED.
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