TNAG-1815-FCO40-2576-Hong-Kong-Public-Order-(Amendment)-Bill-1988-1988 — Page 23

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(d)

nevertheless adequate powers to handle the media

under emergency conditions exist and will be

retained.

Financial and Staffing Implications

15.

There are no financial or staffing implications.

Consultation

16.

Over the past few months, the Secretary for

Administrative Services and Information and staff of the

Information Services Department have been in regular

contact with the Hong Kong Journalists Association, News

Executives Association, Society of Hong Kong Publishers and

the Newspaper Society, and individual journalists of

repute. There have also been informal contacts with

Members of the Legislative Council. Whether or not the

view is valid, the perception by the media is that the

existence of Section 27 is a threat. As the view is

unanimous, we feel that a wide ranging public consultation

exercise is unnecessary.

Public Reaction

17.

Local reaction will be largely media led. The

Government should get some credit for being responsive to

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