How To Make The Hong Kong Government Accountable
And Representative
Objectives and Methods
Annex
Objective I
Except for specified classes of confidential information connected with defence, the economy and personnel, give the public and the media right of access to the information on which the government determines its policies and decisions so that the public can make up its own mind whether what the government does is in the best interests of the community.
Methods
1.
2.
3.
An ordinance that requires government to supply or give access to information when requested and a statutory right of appeal if the information is refused.
Next day publication in Chinese and English of all proceedings of the Legislature and important committees.
All consultative committees to admit media and public unless a satisfactory reason is given for not doing so.
Objective 2
Keep the government and the general public informed of public reaction to government policies and activities and on current issues on a day to day basis.
Methods
1.
2.
Encourage better coverage of public affairs in all branches of the media and improve investigative reporting generally.
Establish a national monitor, independent of the government, to
conduct scientifically accurate surverys of public opinion and publish the results.
Objective 3
Monitor the activities of senior government servants at public hearings to ensure that the community fully understands what these civil servants are doing and why.
Methods
1.
2.
Establish select committees on Westminister lines where top civil servants are questioned, in public, about the policies and work of their departments and branches.
An internal administrative audit comparable to the Imperial Censorate of China, but with the auditor accountable to the Unofficial Members of Legislative Council.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.