Hong Kong Press Freedom Survey Reveals Increasing Censorship

 

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HJKA) in expressing disappointment at the increase in self-censorship by media revealed in a recent media survey and moves by the government of Hong Kong to tighten flows of information and news coverage.

 

On June 24, the HJKA released a press freedom survey of 663 respondents, indicating a growing prevalence of censorship in the reporting activities of Hong Kong’s media. 

 

The most worrying result is that the report from the HKJA noted that 92.7% of media personnel said that they believe press freedom in Hong Kong is reducing due to the tightening of local government controls. Other factors nominated by respondents  include self-censorship within the industry (71%), interference by the Chinese Liaison Office in Hong Kong (67.5%) and interference by the business sector and conglomerates (35.9%). Respondents were able to nominate multiple choices in their responses.

 

According to the survey, 79.2% of respondents believe that self-censorship in 2012 is more serious than in 2005, during the tenure of Chief Executive Donald Tsang. 35.9% of respondents admitted that they themselves or their supervisors had practiced self-censorship of their reporting in the past twelve months. In 2007, this figure was 29.5%; with a further 39.6% responding at that time, that their colleagues and supervisors self-censored.

 

According to the survey, respondents reported bowing to censorship pressure concerning the following topics:

 

  • -       Information unfavourable to advertisers (40.3%)

    -       Information unfavourable to the Central Government (37%)

    -       Issues or information detrimental to the media owners or their interests (34.5%)

    -       News in favour of Chief Executive candidates (33.6%

    -       Information unfavourable to the SAR Government (28%); and

    -       News in favour of the SAR Government (23%).


During the lead up to the election for the new Chief Executive of Hong Kong on March 25 this year,the IFJ reportedallegations that the Chinese Liaison Office in Hong Kong had interfered with the reporting of the election of the new Chief Executive by local media.

 

The recent survey published by the HKJA found that 34.5%of respondents said that blatant infringements of press freedom were occurring as a result of pressure that came from the Chinese Liaison Office.

 

Recent examples of political interference in the media include thealtering of an articlewritten by commentator Johnny YS Lau for Sing Pao, which was altered to reflect support for the mainland China-supported candidate for Chief Executive.

 

Lau’s contract was subsequently terminated on April 12, 2012, without explanation. The newspaper has continued to self-censor, with a column about blind activist Chen Guangcheng removed from its official website on April 30.

 

In the wake of the deterioration of press freedom in Hong Kong, and the troubling findings of the HKJA media survey, the IFJ calls on the Government of Hong Kong to ensure greater respect for press freedom.

 

The IFJ urges outgoing Chief Executive Donald Tsang, and Chief Executive Elect, CY Leung to pledge to investigate all allegations of political interference into the reporting of Hong Kong’s media and ensure that press freedom is protected in Hong Kong.

 

“An unfettered press is one of the cornerstones of any democracy, and the media has a duty to report impartially in the public interest” the IFJ Asia-Pacific office said.

 

“Attempts by governments or the private sector to interfere in the independence of the media are damaging to democracy, and should not be tolerated.”

 

For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +61 2 9333 0950

 

The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 131 countries

 

Find the IFJ on Twitter: @ifjasiapacific

 

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