TNAG-1688-FCO40-2338-Hong-Kong-legislation-regarding-the-control-of-publications--1987 — Page 95

HONG KONG

Room 623,

Club, Hong Kong

The Foreign Correspondents' Club,

North Block, No. 2 Lower Albert Road, Hong Kong

Tel: 5-211511

Cables: "CORCLUB"

Ilges with the Reuter byter Join Biddulph of the FCC

H

Affie 87)

ра

(HKD) 30°/

TRY

o Taken

1/4

mek

Strand Palace HORELNOY

Tel: 836 8080

- 7 APR 1967

714

•

The Hong Kong Foreign Correspondente Club, whose membership includes

representatives of most of the world's major publications,

radio networks and newS

agencies:

television and

03 local journalists, is dis-

turbed by the recently-enacted Public Order Amendment Ordinance.

Although the bulk of this measure was published many weeks in advance,

thus giving ample time for discussion: one vital clause only Oppeared 0 few

days before the lengthy debate which made it low

This clause

states: Any

!!

N

person who publishes false news which is likely

to cause alarm to the public or a section thereof or disturb public order

shall be guilty of an offence

=

#

马来

=

punishable by two years

Jail.

The Ordinance does not define

of proof of innocence UPOM QnYOME accused. The Ordinance appears to have

been badly drafted (the original version had included the word "maliciously”

but the approved version appears to disregard motive).

"false news and: in effect lays the burden

II

There is a Precedent for this kind of legislation! an English statute

03 "Scandalum Magnatum Was enacted in 1275. But even that was

Finally finally repealed in 1888.

known

Informally, the attitude of the Hong Kong Government seems to be that

nobody has to worry becau: the clouse will not be invoked. If that is

there is need for it at all.

It is o Very

stronge Piece of legislation for a Colony which was chosen not

long ago as the venue for a Commonwealth low conference, It is also, of

Colony which will be taken over by the Chinese Government in

just over ten years' time.

course;