DATELINE: HONG KONG
Filled by gunpowder: Edgar Yuen, Hong Kong Federation of
Journalists.
Summary: The HKFU was formed in 1996, drawing its
membership from predominately pro-mainland newspapers. It seeks to
encourage constructive dialogue with Beijing. The HKFU is in direct
competition with the more than twenty year old Hong Kong Journalists
Association, which is affiliated with the International Federation of
Journalists. The Association includes European members and has been
active in campaigning for freedom of speech in Hong Kong. The text
which follows is an edited transcript of a speech delivered by Mr.
Yuen to the Commonwealth Journalists Association conference in Hong
Kong.
"Let us have a brief look at the Hong Kong society
and some phenomena of the Hong Kong press. From the early eighties
on, Hong Kong has become politicised and filled with gunpowder. I do
not know if these things have direct and necessary relations. It was
the HK government, which knew very well that it was going to be the
sunset government, which opened up the legislature for direct
election. Thus a lot of political parties mushroomed to fight for the
seats offered which would never have existed before sovereignty
reverts to China, if there were no transition question. On the other
had the Chinese and British governments were engaged in argument on
topics emerged from the transition question. Hong Kong people became
politicised accordingly, when an issue came up, people of different
opinion would voice their own view. And I think it is natural in any
society. However, when people are forced to state their own opinion,
otherwise their business interest would not be guaranteed presently
or in the future [sic]. You could imagine that businessmen usually
try their best to obtain and maintain good relationship. with
government, whichever government, so as to obtain contracts or
favour, or convenience in Chinese terms.
The press, which is supposed to reflect society, became politicised accordingly. It gave more coverage than eve before to cover local political news and took a stand on Hong Kong political affairs, which the press would never do in the past. To say that the HK press had no political stand is inaccurate. The first Chinese newspaper was founded in Hong Kong in 1900, since then revolutionary or rebellious parties, depending on which side you take, set up newspapers in Hong Kong. Intelligentsia set up newspapers in HK, to voice their views on Chinese affairs. HK, designed by the HK government, became the shelter of Chinese political refugees over the last 150 years. HK readers used to buy two or three papers to observe different political standpoints. I must stress that HK readers were observing different political standpoints on Chinese political affairs but not HK affairs because no paper took a stand on HK political affairs.
What happened during the transition period? Some papers were forced to take a stand on HK political affairs when the Chinese and British governments crossed fire and all the bombs landed on HK. It is because of the anti Chinese government tradition which the HK press formed in the past 150 years, most of the press were critical of the Chinese government. Some people might accuse the HK press of becoming less critical of the Chinese government as the sovereignty reverting day is approaching. The accusers say it is because of self censorship. And I say no.
The press is less critical of the Chinese government because almost all outstanding issues concerning HK were solved by the two governments, therefore the press is not required to take a stand. And they are as critical as before, and I believe it will remain the same after 1997. Secondly the rising of popular newspapers. The characteristic of popular newspapers is homogenous product, both in terms of contents and political stands. At present almost 80% of the total newspaper sale volume is by popular newspapers and more and more readers buy one popular newspaper instead of two or three in the past.
In conclusion, after 1997, the HK readers will be more apolitical, or just like what they were before the transition period began, the press in HK will become more apolitical in accordance with the changing attitude of the readers and will become more popular. The distorted picture of HK readers and press will be back to normal, because the abnormal factor-- the transition is over.