TNAG-1687-FCO40-2337-Hong-Kong-legislation-regarding-the-control-of-publications--1987 — Page 161

MAR 18 87 01111 GIS HK

OTS/L/F/353

All Ovezsens

17, 1987

( London Office, attni Paul Brown, please pass on # copy of the following statement to the F00)

The following was iemued to the media z 2310 hours (HK time) today ı

ATTENTION NEWS EDITORS:

F.1

IN RESPONGE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES, A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN CONFIRMED THAT THE ADMINISTRATION IS CURRENTLY CONSIDERING THE BEST WAY TO INTRODUCE FILM CLASSIFICATION. THIS IS IN RESPONSE TO WIDESPREAD CONCERN AMONGST THE COMMUNITY THAT IMPRESSIONABLE YOUNG PEOPLE EXPOSED TO SCENES OF VIOLENCE AND SEX IN THE CINEMA MAY LEAD THEM TO ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR.

THE PROPOSED CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM AIMS TO ALLOW +ADULT+ FILMS TO BE SEEN BY ADULT FILM-GOERS WHILST PROTECTING CHILDREN AND MINORS FROM THEM.

THE ADMINISTRATION WILL MEET WITH MEMBERS OF THE OMELCO - STANDING PANEL ON PUBLIC RELATIONS TOMORROW ON THIS PROPOSAL WE WILL DISCUSS WAYS OF IMPLEMENTING THIS SYSTEM,

THE GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN ADDED THAT FILMS ARE CENSORED BY THE TELEVISION AND ENTERTAINMENT LICENSING AUTHORITY (TELA) UNDER THE FILM CENSORSHIP STANDARDS PUBLISHED IN MAY 1973. THIS IS A PUBLIC DOCUMENT. UNDER THESE STANDARDS, THE GENERAL PRINCIPLES ARE THAT FILMS SHOULD1-

A. OBSERVE ORDINARY GOOD TASTE AND COMMON SENSE-

3. HAVE RESPECT FOR THE OPINIONS OF THE PUBLIC

C. HAVE RESPECT FOR LAW AND SOCIAL INSTITUTIONS,

IN AMPLIFICATION OF THESE PRINCIPLES, A FILM OR ANY PARTICULAR PART OF A FILM, TRAILER OR ADVERTISEMENT, WILL NOT BE BANNED BY THE CENSOR, UNLESS IN HIS CONSIDERED OPINION THERE IS A LIKELIHOOD THAT ITS SHOWING IN A PUBLIC PLACE WOULD1-

A. CAUSE DEEP SHOCK OR DISQUST=

B. CORRUPT MORALS OR ENCOURAGE CRIME, PARTICULARLY CRIMES

OF VIOLENCE, OR ENCOURAGE THE UNLAWFUL TAXING OF DRUGS-

C. PROVOKE HATRED BETWEEN PERSONS IN HONG KONG OF DIFFERING RACE, COLOUR, CLASS, NATIONALITY, CREED OR SECTIONAL INTEREST=

D. UNWARRANTABLY OFFEND RELIGIOUS BODIES OR REPUTABLE

LOCAL ORGANISATIONS=

E. BRING THE IMPARTIAL ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE IN HONG KONG

INTO DISREPUTE=

F. PROVOKE HATRED OR CONTEMPT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF HONG KONG- G. DAMAGE GOOD RELATIONS WITH OTHER TERRITORIES*

H. ENCOURAGE PUBLIC DISORDER.

P961 SEP 12 NOⱭNOT 00MM 1:21 28, 21