The following is a 12 April 2000 HKJA statement on the remarks made by Wang Fengchao, deputy director of the Peoples? Republic of China (PRC) Central Government’s Liaison Office in Hong Kong: WANG’S REMARKS SERIOUSLY DAMAGING TO PRESS FREEDOM The Hong Kong Journalists Association is shocked and disturbed by comments made by the Deputy Director […]
The following is a 12 April 2000 HKJA statement on the remarks made by Wang Fengchao, deputy director of the Peoples? Republic of China (PRC) Central Government’s Liaison Office in Hong Kong:
WANG’S REMARKS SERIOUSLY DAMAGING TO PRESS FREEDOM
The Hong Kong Journalists Association is shocked and disturbed by comments made by the Deputy Director of the Central Government’s Liaison Office in Hong Kong, Wang Fengchao. During a seminar today, Mr Wang said that in reporting the news, the Hong Kong media had a responsibility and duty to cooperate with national policies. The HKJA believes Mr Wang’s remarks are seriously damaging to press freedom.
The HKJA strongly believes that editorial independence is the foundation of press freedom. The media can only safeguard that freedom, and the public’s right to know, by relying on news values, ethical conduct and other professional standards. If the media does as Mr Wang suggests, and becomes a tool for the pursuit of national policies, the independence and credibilty of the media will be destroyed, as will press freedom.
Press freedom is also a right to be enjoyed by Hong Kong people under the Basic Law, and is an aspect of Hong Kong’s high degree of autonomy. Mr Wang’s comments violate the principle of a high degree of autonomy and as such are highly inappropriate.
The HKJA hopes that representatives of the central government in Hong Kong will adhere to the principle of one-country two-systems and refrain from making statements which can damage press freedom.
