(ARTICLE 19/HKJA/IFEX) – The following is a 2 July 2000 joint ARTICLE 19 / HKJA press release: TAIWAN REPORTING THE KEY ISSUE FOR HK MEDIA HONG KONG, JULY 2, 2000: Media coverage of Taiwan has this year become the key test of media freedom in Hong Kong, according to a report of the Hong Kong […]
(ARTICLE 19/HKJA/IFEX) – The following is a 2 July 2000 joint ARTICLE 19 / HKJA press release:
TAIWAN REPORTING THE KEY ISSUE FOR HK MEDIA
HONG KONG, JULY 2, 2000: Media coverage of Taiwan has this year become the key
test of media freedom in Hong Kong, according to a report of the Hong Kong
Journalists Association and ARTICLE 19.
PATRIOT GAMES: Hong Kong’s media face to face with the Taiwan factor is the eighth annual report published by these two organisations. It states developments on Taiwan reporting are “ominous” and the first real test of whether the local media can stand up to Beijing. The report states: “The past year under review has seen several disturbing
developments, although they have not yet translated into any significant deterioration in freedom of expression.”
It also states: “Hong Kong, and particularly Hong Kong’s media organisations, are increasingly being caught in the crossfire between Taiwan and Beijing, as China steps up its efforts to co-opt the SAR into the battle against the so-called renegade province, or, at the very least, make it toe the national line.”
The report also notes worrying developments in privacy and control of obscene and indecent materials which also pose a serious threat to press freedom. The two organisations argue that years of low ethical standards are cutting away at public support for press freedom, making the media vulnerable to attack.
The two organisations call on the government to reform a series of media-related laws and strengthen human rights protection in general. They call on the Beijing government to repeal regulations on Hong Kong reporters operating on the mainland. They also call on media proprietors to improve their ethical standards and resist any temptation to self-censorship.
The Hong Kong Journalists Association is Hong Kong’s oldest and largest organisation representing local journalists and fighting for press freedom.
ARTICLE 19 is an international body based in London campaigning for freedom
of expression.
