TNAG-1990-FCO40-2823-Broadcasting-in-Hong-Kong-1989 — Page 11

CONFIDENTIAL

4.

In recent years, however, the climate of opinion has changed

somewhat. In Hong Kong, there has been growing sensitivity in some

quarters over the whole question of censorship. And in China (until

recently) there was an increasing readiness to tolerate literary and

artistic freedom. Against this background, revised film censorship

legislation was passed in 1988. It continued to permit the Hong

Kong Government to ban films if it so decided, but it tightened the rules in a number of ways. It stated that a ban on political

grounds had to depend on there being "a likelihood that the

exhibition of the film would seriously damage good relations with other territories". There is also a new provision for appeals against decisions by the censor. A further new provision sets down

a timetable within which decisions must be made. Even this tightly drawn legislation aroused much controversy in Hong Kong amongst those who considered that political censorship was inappropriate

under any circumstances.

5. Since the passing of the revised film censorship legislation,

five contentious anti-communist films have been submitted for a

permit, three of them since 3/4 June. The Hong Kong Government

concluded in all five cases that the films should not be banned.

Ministers were consulted about each of these decisions.

6. In the case of "Mainland China 1989", however, those who have

reviewed the film consider that it falls fairly within the

definition of liable "seriously to damage good relations with other

territories". One section of the documentary includes newsreel

footage of demonstrations and interviews with leading dissidents.

The commentary includes inflammatory phrases such as "the brutal policy of the CPC" and "the corrupt and rotten Communist Government that oppresses democracy and freedom". Another section of the

documentary attempts to analyse why Peking University has been the

focus of pro-democracy movements throughout Chinese history, with further unfriendly commentary.

CONFIDENTIAL