TNAG-1687-FCO40-2337-Hong-Kong-legislation-regarding-the-control-of-publications--1987 — Page 215

17 87 16:00 TIBCOOU) HK GOVT

- 3

In spite of the existence of these laws, this

Government has espoused and encouraged the freedom of

expression in the media and in public generally in a way

which has drawn praise, not only from countries in this

region, but from many parts of the Western world also. I

have every reason to believe that it is because the

Government has encouraged this freedom. that the

journalists of Hong Kong have not felt it necessary

march to Government House to demand the repeal of our

press laws in the past 30 years; the For Eastern Economic

Review has not moved out of Hong Kong, and Radio

Television Hong Kong, the Government-owned station, has

not felt inhibited from biting the hand that feeds it.

Indeed RTHK enjoys an independence of spirit which few if

any other Government stations in the world con match.

to

Newspapers have continued to speculate wildly,

accurately and inaccurately; exclusive front page

headlines in bold type have subsequently been proved true

or false. Four thousand teachers have shouted slogans at

Government House, two thousand civil servants have

condemned the Government in virulent

virulent speeches at the

Secretariat, and countless public demonstrations have been

held in Victoria Park.

เ

.P.3