ENG-1987 — Page 293

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Communications and The Media

潘巾舖

事霸孔 業種

By expressing their own views, reflecting the mood of the general public, and making available information on the government's policies and activities, Hong Kong's intensely active news media play a vital role in the process of communication and public information. The freedom they enjoy to air their opinions was clearly evident in the wide coverage and vigorous editorial comment given during the year to the many and varied issues of

public import.

Among the major topics treated were the debate on further development of a system of representative government best suited to Hong Kong, the influx of refugees from both China and Vietnam, the question of film censorship, the sudden sharp movements of the stock market and futures exchange that occurred in October, and the retention of the provision about the publishing of false news likely to cause public alarm.

The latter was part of a legislative package to repeal the Control of Publications Consolidation Ordinance, first enacted in 1951, which contained a number of very restrictive provisions. Most of these provisions were deemed no longer necessary in the light of present-day circumstances. Only one of the provisions was retained and was transferred in a modified form to the Public Order Ordinance. Although the main effect of the package was a liberalising one, retention of this one provision was viewed by the media and some sections of the public as an encroachment on the freedom of speech. The government, and some members of the general public, saw it as a necessary measure to prevent irresponsible reports for the maintenance of public order. It was debated in the Legislative Council, and eventually passed, with an assurance by the government that the measure would not be used to inhibit personal or press freedom, and would be reviewed in future in the light of experience.

Continuing attention was given to the on-going discussions of the Basic Law Drafting and Consultative Committees, which are assisting the Chinese government in drafting the basic law for the post-1997 Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and also to the two diplomatic bodies set up in accordance with the Sino-British Joint Declaration, namely the Joint Liaison Group and the Land Commission.

Through its links with most parts of the world by the use of the latest in telecommunica- tions technology, Hong Kong ensures an efficient and continuous interflow of up-to-the- minute information, and at the same time fosters its continuing growth as a world trading, manufacturing and financial centre. These sophisticated communication facilities serve also to attract international media representatives seeking to establish a regional base for their operations. News agencies, newspapers with international readerships and overseas broadcasting companies and corporations about 90 of them have opened offices in Hong Kong. Furthermore, regional publications produced in Hong Kong have flourished, reflecting the territory's enhanced position as a centre of industrial and trading expertise.

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