TNAG-1688-FCO40-2338-Hong-Kong-legislation-regarding-the-control-of-publications--1987 — Page 88

RECEIVEO

3011

- 7 APR 1987

IMMEDIATE

FIOVA

PEMA RENTON

TIMOTHY

Mek

3/4

RENTON

Reply sout

MINISTER OF STATE

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

LONDON

pa Bla

Mr. Layden, HRD

се

ps / Ma

Renton

M. Gillmore

Mr McLaren

Mr Maye

News Dept

Mr Fifoot

MARCH 31, 1987

Dap Leg Ads

DEAR MR. RENTON:

14

DOW JONES + CO., PUBLISHER OF THE ASIAN WALL STREET JOURNAL AND THE FAR EASTERN ECONOMIC REVIEW, WISHES TO VOICE SUPPORT FOR THE HONG KONG JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION AND THE HONG KONG FOREIGN CORRESPONDENTS CLUB IN OPPOSING SECTION 27 OF THE PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE, WHICH WAS PASSED BY THE LEGILSATIVE COUNCIL ON MARCH 11. WE VIEW THIS LEGISLATION AS A SERIOUS THREAT TO THE FREEDOM OF THE PRESS IN HONG KONG. THERE IS NO SIMILAR LEGISLATION IN THE U.S. OR BRITAIN, AND WE SEE NO JUSTIFICATION FOR HAVING SUCH LEGISLATION IN

HONG KONG, WHILE THE PROVISION HAD EXISTED IN A DIFFERENT FORM SINCE 1951, TIMES AND CIRCUMSTANCES HAVE CHANGED. THE WORDING OF THIS LEGISLATION WAS ALTERED LESS THAN A WEEK BEFORE IT WAS PUSHED THROUGH ITS SECOND AND THIRD READINGS IN THE COUNCIL. SUBSTANTIALLY ALTERED THE LEGISLATION. IN ITS PRESENT FORM THE

THE CHANGES LEGISLATION IS EVEN WORSE THAN BEFORE, PRESENTING A THREAT TO FREEDOM OF SPEECH AS WELL AS FREEDOM OF THE PRESS. THAT THIS IS AN INSTANCE WHEN THE POWER OF DISALLOWANCE SHOULD BE

WE FEEL STRONGLY EXERCISED AND THE SECTION REPEALED IN ITS ENTIRETY.

THANKING YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION,

YOURS RESPECTFULLY,

PETER R. KANN

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

DOW JONES + COMPANY, INC.

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LEXINGTON

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LONDON

N. Y.

297711 PRORME G

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NY 10170.