Freedom of the Press in Hong Kong

Abstract

This article looks at the current position of and prospects for freedom of the press in Hong Kong with the change of sovereignty (from British to Chinese) on July 1 1997. Part 2 of the article looks at some basic definitional issues related to freedom of the press generally. Part 3 reviews the practice of freedom of the press in Hong Kong which has long enjoyed the most free press in East Asia. Part 4 considers changes in media freedom likely to apply after July 1, 1997, The article concludes that press freedom may only need to undergo certain adjustments rather than wholesale change with the transfer of sovereignty, but the possibility of greater restriction exists. The Hong Kong Chinese will continue to be the main influence on Hong Kong and they will, after July 1997, also have a major influence on press freedom.