XN000022-1995-06-27 — Page 6

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Government is committed to press freedom

A free press is vital to a free society, the Governor, the Rt Hon Christopher Patten, said today (Tuesday).

Speaking at the Newspaper Society Annual Press Contest Awards Presentation Ceremony, the Governor said press freedom enabled the free exchange of ideas and information that nurtured business and the arts. It also strengthens the bonds of a community by shared discussion and increase of understanding.

Mr Patten said a free press was also one of the great interpreters between the people and their government.

He pointed out that the Government had demonstrated its commitment to a free press by gazetting a Bill last Friday (June 23) to amend the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to provide better safeguards for journalistic material.

The promise for press freedom had also been made in the Joint Declaration and the Basic Law, Mr Patten added.

End/Tuesday, June 27, 1995

Focus discussion on compulsory education

Over 160 principals and teachers of primary and secondary schools will participate in a focus discussion session on the nine-year free and compulsory education on Saturday (July 1).

The discussion is organised by the Board of Education Sub-committee on Review of School Education which was set up to study the educational system with a view to identify areas of concern and to make recommendations to the Board on measures to further enhance the system.

At the discussion session, participants are encouraged to exchange views on the following areas: