TNAG-2862-FCO40-4116-Article-XIX-(lobby-group-for-press-freedom)-and-Hong-Kong-Jo-1993 — Page 88

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Astile XIX Article

Report

FROM: INFORMATION CO-ORDINATOR, HONG KONG

THE HKJA AND ARTICLE 19 REPORT ON HONG KONG

1 WE ARE SENDING BY FAX A COPY OF THE SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS OF A REPORT TO BE PUBLISHED BY THE HONG KONG JOURNALISTS ASSOCIATION (HKJA) AND ARTICLE 19 ENTITLED QUOTE URGENT BUSINESS: HONG KONG, FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND 1997 UNQUOTE. THE REPORT WILL BE PUBLISHED SIMULTANEOUSLY IN HONG KONG AND LONDON ON 22 JANUARY. IN RESPONSE TO PRESS ENQUIRIES WE WILL TAKE THE FOLLOWING LINE:

'AT THE REQUEST OF THE HKJA, THE HONG KONG GOVERNMENT IS UNDERTAKING A REVIEW OF LAWS WHICH MIGHT JEOPARDISE PRESS FREEDOM AND THE CASE FOR A FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT. THIS REVIEW IS CLOSE TO COMPLETION. THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL WILL BE ASKED TO CONSIDER AND ADVISE ON THE OUTCOME ONCE THE LAW REFORM COMMISSION'S RECOMMENDATIONS ON PRIVACY LEGISLATION BECOME AVAILABLE IN FEBRUARY'

2. IF YOU ARE ASKED TO COMMENT WE SUGGEST THAT YOU DEPLOY THE SAME LINE.

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64

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LEGAL ADVISERS//MS BARRETT ./MS BROOKS AND MR GILES NEWS D

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