COYAFQ
нко 30112
From:
CO Hum
RF
Date:
- NOV 1968
N
Private Secretary
FILE
(W17
Hong Kong Department
30 November 1988
CC:
PS/Lord Glerarthur
Mr Gillmore
Mr McLaren
Mr Burns, News Dept
PUBLIC ORDER ORDINANCE: REVIEW OF SECTION 27
1.
I attach Hong Kong telno 4394, giving the text of a self-explanatory press release issued in Hong Kong a few hours ago.
2.
The Secretary of State will recall the background. During the interregnum between Sir Edward Youde and Sir David Wilson the Hong Kong Government completed a review of certain press legislation. While most provisions were scrapped, it was decided to retain one provision banning the publication of false news likely to cause public alarm. The decision caused a major confrontation
in Legco.
It also attracted criticism from human rights lobbyists and guardians of the free press in Hong Kong, in Britain and internationally. Considerable damage was done to Hong Kong's international image.
3.
Sir D Wilson decided long ago that the provision should be reviewed as soon as he had a new legislative council, not associated with the original controversial decision to retain it. The decision to repeal the provision is a welcome one.
Cotten
CO Hum
CONFIDENTIAL
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