DATELINE: HONG KONG

We are in a free fall of democracy: Y. Joseph Lian, Chief Editor, Hong Kong Economic Journal.

Knight: Has that changed with the handover?

Lian: You are seeing some changes. Most of those changes are voluntary, meaning self censorship. But there are newspapers in Hong Kong which have not budged. For one, our newspaper is maintaining the same editorial policy, maintaining the same level of high power reporting.

Knight: But your newspaper has come under pressure before though hasn't it, through the withdrawal of Red chip advertising?

Lian: Yes that happened to us in 1992/93 but that had more to do with economics than politics [The Economic Journal had been running critical reports on Red Chip company operations.]

Knight: Should journalists in Hong Kong now see themselves as in the front-line?

Lian: Oh yes and playing brinkmanship. [The dangers now are] self censorship. The powers that be, the Chinese establishment may threaten withdrawal of economic benefits but one can suffer that. One still has the freedom. We have a free fall of democracy. we have a year until the elections can be held next May.

Knight: At this stage the Basic Law and how it relates to journalists has still not been spelled out.

Lian: The crucial article Twenty Three has not been given details yet and as soon as the proper legislature is elected until next May they will act on this.

Knight: Assuming good will on the part of Beijing, isn't there also a cultural problem in that the leadership is simply not used to dealing with the sort of criticism that Hong Kong newspapers sometimes hand out?

Lian: Yes I think so. their background is as guerrilla fighters hailing from Yenan and other places. Whereas we grew up in a free and open society. How do we bridge the gap? It is very difficult for them to accept the style of the press in free countries. They have this mentality of seeing everyone as enemies.

Knight: We already know that some issues like the independence of Tibet or Taiwan will be particularly sensitive. How can Hong Kong journalists skirt around this?

Lian: We can talk about abstract principles and I think on that score there will be no room for negotiations. China will not permit journalists to advocate independence for its territories. On the other hand, aside I think there is practically nothing that you cannot discuss honestly and openly in the press. Of course, you have to pay a price. As I said, they may withdraw some economic benefits. If you say, "no problem", then you can do things your way.

Knight: Clearly Beijing has been stung by reports such as some in Apple Daily. Is it also a question of the style of reporting?

Lian: Yes. I think in terms of critical content, our newspaper is more critical. Apple Daily is very in your face, very sensational. It makes good headlines but I still think Apple Daily lacks something in terms of critical and in depth reporting. Their readership is different from ours.

Knight: Where would you like to see Hong Kong journalism in five years time?

Lian: A lot will depend on how people in the media business fight the battle.

Knight: How do you think it will be operating?

Lian: A lot of them will tone and keep quiet. A few will remain very critical. So you will see bigger differences between the two groups.

Alan Knight