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| Press freedom, rule of law respected in HK |
| | www.chinaview.cn 2004-07-26 20:44:19 |
HONG KONG, July 26 (Xinhuanet) --
Hong Kong fully respects press freedom and the rule of law, Chief Secretary for
Administration of Hong Kong government Donald Tsang said here Monday.
It is the society's wish to strike a balance between protecting media autonomy and the legal system, said Tsang in response to
press inquiries about the Independent Commission Against Corruption's (ICAC)
case involving an alleged conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
Press freedom is fully protected under the constitution and
law, he added.
While it reflects one of Hong Kong's common
values and is fully respected here, Hong Kong is also a law-abiding
society.
"So, in a question of protecting the freedom of the
press and protecting our legal system, and also the importance of law, we have
to strike the balance somewhere. I am sure it is a common wish of our people,"
Tsang said.
Secretary for Justice Elsie Leung said Hong Kong
laws have already stipulated which type of information should be made public,and
media organizations should adhere to the law.
On the issue
of search warrants during the operation, Leung said the ICAC will decide the
most appropriate action to be taken according to their professional
judgment.
Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee said the ICAC
has all along been conducting investigations in accordance with the powers
entrusted to it under the law.
Freedom of the press and the rule of law are the cornerstones of Hong Kong's success, and the government will make every effort to safeguard them, he said. Enditem |
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