TNAG-1689-FCO40-2339-Hong-Kong-legislation-regarding-the-control-of-publications--1987 — Page 120

MAY 05 '87 15:36 TIBCOOU) HK GOVT

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(c) The vires of the Film Censorship Regulations are

in doubt. Although section 7(1)(h) provides for

the censoring of films 'on such principles as may

be prescribed in the regulations', in fact no

such principles have ever been formally

prescribed although they have been in operation,

and widely publicised, for many years.

Legal

advice is that the vires of these regulations may

therefore be challenged in court.

Film censorship and its principles

5.

Film censorship has been practised in Hong Kong

since 1953 and has been accepted by the public as a

•

Government responsibility. At present, the principles and

criteria for approving or disapproving a film are codified in a 'note of guidance' issued in 1973 for the reference

of the film industry and the public.

6.

These principles and criteria cover a wide range

of matters, from sex and violence, to race and religion, to contempt of the Government of Hong Kong and harm to

good relations with other territories.

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