6 Access to Information


Nov 7, 2017 (Hong Kong Free Press) — The Office for Film, Newspaper and Article Administration has allowed Hong Kong Free Press to register as a newspaper, meaning its reporters can finally access government press conferences and press releases. The authorities had long-forbidden digital-only media from attending government events to ask questions of officials, despite sustained pressure from local and international...

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Industry welcomes ‘long overdue decision’ to let digital news outlets cover official events, but some are still sceptical of terms for eligibility Sept 19, 2017 (South China Morning Post) — Digital media outlets in Hong Kong would be allowed to cover official events and receive press releases or invitations under ­relaxed rules, the government said yesterday. Chief Executive Carrie Lam Yuet-ngor said the ­arrangement would be...

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June 21, 2017 (Hong Kong Free Press) — Chief Executive-elect Carrie Lam’s press officer has told HKFP that digital media will not be allowed to access a press conference about Lam’s cabinet picks. Online outlets will be barred from attending Wednesday’s media event, and will be unable to ask questions on behalf of the public. The policy is in line with the government’s widely condemned ban which prevents reporters whose outlets...

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May 13, 2016 (South China Morning Post) Editorial — Hong Kong’s credibility as an international finance centre depends more than ever on transparency of markets , a free flow of information and a level playing field. With closer links between Hong Kong and mainland markets and the city’s role as an offshore yuan centre, these remain things that not only set us apart, but are critical to the perception of Hong Kong as a...

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Calls for an archival law have been heightened after it was revealed that two government bureaus (Food and Health Bureau and Labour and Welfare Bureau) have not stored a single file in the government archives for at least three years. Government replies to lawmakers’ questions on the budget also showed that from 2011 to 2014, more than 1.3 million files from all 12 policy bureaus were destroyed, compared to only 80,054 files...

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