TNAG-1687-FCO40-2337-Hong-Kong-legislation-regarding-the-control-of-publications--1987 — Page 111

Hong Kong

Government Office

香港政府駐英辦事處

24 March 1987

LKO 3011

RECEIV

7 1 MAR 1927

A STAY

Action IGN

You will have read press reports on a law about the publication of false news, which has been the subject of intense debate in Hong Kong.

I enclose a brief which sets out the wider background to the issue. You will see that the objective of the statutory amendments is in fact to liberalise the law on the control of publications to bring it in line with the tradition of freedom which Hong Kong values so highly; for example, provisions granting power to suspend publications and to seize printing presses have been repealed.

However, the Hong Kong Government considers it necessary to retain the offence of publication of false news which is likely to alarm public opinion or to disturb public order. A similar offence has been in existence for almost 40 years, but this provision has been invoked only sparingly and not at all since the civil disturbances in 1967. This track record shows that the law has been, and will continue to be, enforced with care and prudence.

I hope you will find this brief useful. My office will be happy to provide further information on the subject if necessary.

With best wishes,

Encls

CHH/SL/rl

6 Grafton Street London WIX 3LB

(Colvyn Haye) COMMISSIONER

Telephone: 01-499 9821

Telex: 28404