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Government committed to press freedom
Commenting on the second annual report on Freedom of Expression in Hong Kong published by the Hong Kong Journalists Association last Friday (June 30), a Government spokesman affirmed that freedom of expression was vital to a free society.
"The Government is fully committed to press freedom and to whatever practical measures are necessary to preserve or reinforce it," he said.
The spokesman noted that the report gave little heed to the substantial progress made in the review of laws affecting press freedom or the granting of access to Government information.
"The review has covered 53 provisions in 27 Ordinances. By the end of this Legislative Council session we expect to have dealt with 42 of these provisions and will be reporting to LegCo on the remaining laws," he said.
The spokesman said the Government firmly believed that the public should be given as much information as possible to enhance understanding of public policies. He did not accept that this could only be achieved by a statutory access to information regime.
"The Government has devised an administrative code which provides a practical and effective access to information system which is well suited to Hong Kong and no less effective than a statutory regime," he said.
The spokesman recognised the growing concern over reports of self-censorship in the media.
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He said: "The Government maintains an environment in Hong Kong in which a free and active press can operate under the minimum of regulation regulation which does not fetter freedom of expression or editorial independence.
"However, Hong Kong people also look to their journalists, editors and newspaper proprietors to stand up for the integrity of their profession now and in the future."
End/Monday, July 3, 1995