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WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1992
SHALL LEAST
"AS THE CIVIL SERVICE PREPARES FOR THE TRANSITION, WE HAVE TO DEVELOP THE MOMENTUM OF OUR LOCALISATION PROGRAMME, NOT
COMPLY WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE JOINT DECLARATION AND THE BASIC
ΤΟ LAW.
"IN DOING So, WE WILL NOT, OF COURSE, LOSE SIGHT OF THE IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTION WHICH OVERSEAS OFFICERS WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE TO HONG KONG'S PUBLIC SERVICE," HE SAID.
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EXCO'S ADVICE TO BE SOUGHT ON PRESS FREEDOM CONCERNS
THE GOVERNOR, THE RT HON CHRISTOPHER PATTEN, WILL ASK THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL TO ADVISE HIM, BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR, ON WHAT ACTION MIGHT BE TAKEN TO ADDRESS CONCERNS ON FREEDOM OF THE PRESS ON ACCESS TO INFORMATION.
MR PATTEN TOLD THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL THIS TODAY WHEN DEALING WITH PRESS FREEDOM IN HIS POLICY ADDRESS.
AND
(WEDNESDAY),
HE SAID HE HAD 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 VALUE OF GENERAL DECLARATORY LEGISLATION. SUCH LEGISLATION FREQUENTLY HAS THE OPPOSITE OF THE INTENDED EFFECT.
THE
"BUT, HAVING LISTENED CAREFULLY TO THE REPRESENTATIONS MADE ΤΟ 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.
ME
J
"A REVIEW HAS BEEN UNDER WAY SINCE AUGUST," HE SAID,
MR PATTEN SAID FREEDOM OF THE PRESS WAS ONE ASPECT OF HONG KONG'S WAY OF LIFE WHICH HE THOUGHT DESERVED PARTICULAR ATTENTION, AND HE NOTED THE ISSUE WAS DEBATED IN LEGCO COUNCIL EARLIER THIS YEAR.
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"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 FREE TO REPORT ON ANY ISSUE THEY WISH AND TO CRITICISE, QUESTION CHALLENGE THE GOVERNMENT AS THEY SEE FIT, HE SAID.
"I
IS AND
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