TNAG-1366-FCO40-1812-Hong-Kong-Legislative-Council-(Powers-and-Privileges)-Bill-1-1985 — Page 128

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DRAFT SPEECH BY HON MRS SELINA CHOW, JP

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

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12.6.85

Legislative Council (Powers and Privileges) Bill 1985

Sir,

During the Sino-British negotiations, the wish of Hong Kong to retain our many freedoms was unquestionable.

It is therefore understandable that much was voiced by the public in general and members of the media in particular on the necessity to safeguard existing freedom of speech and the press in the context of the Bill before us. I share the sentiment, and feel that certain amendments are necessary to

alleviate concern.

Two points are often criticized in Clause 17(d). The phrase 'intentional disrespect' is generally not favoured, as its definition is open to question. Moreover, the following phrase 'to or with reference to the proceedings of the Council or a committee or to any person presiding at such proceedings' could mean anything ranging from disrespectful words or act to genuine commentary made outside the Council which may be critical of it, in either spoken, written or published form. This grave reservation is justified, and in my view, Clause 17 (d) should be removed altogether.

May I move on to Clause 20 which seems to cause the most problems as far as freedom of speech is concerned.

I certainly share the thinking of those Members of the media that Clause 20 should be deleted, so that we are left in no doubt that the present role of the media as the watchdog of government will be in any way eroded. The Legislative Council does not and should not require any more protection than is presently afforded by existing legislation. At this juncture, there must be no retrogression in the part the media is allowed to play by law, particularly when we are moving towards a more open form of representative government.

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