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Following is a question by the Hon Frederick Fung and a written reply by the Secretary for Home Affairs, Mr Tsang Tak-sing, in the Legislative Council today (July 9):
Question:
On the 15th of last month, various media reported that according to reliable sources, six bodies participated in the storming of the Legislative Council Complex on the 13th of last month. On the 19th of last month, a television station reported that the Government had commissioned external organisations to conduct opinion surveys on the action to occupy the Central District ("Occupy Central"), and the results of the surveys indicated that an increasing number of people are not in support of Occupy Central and consider that Occupy Central would stimulate incidents involving violence. On the 23rd and 24th of last month, some media reported that in view of the eventuality of Occupy Central, the Government was then making various deployments, which included vacating the Ma Hang Prison in Stanley for the purpose of detaining and temporarily holding arrestees. On the other hand, some members of the public have complained to me that the Government has recently disseminated information (e.g. survey results) to the media through anonymous sources from time to time. They have pointed out that such means of information dissemination makes it difficult for people to judge and verify the authenticity of the information, which not only results in the Government being alleged to have manipulated the media, but also has the effect of subjecting the organisations and bodies being named or criticised to the pressure from public comments and suppression, thus having treated them unfairly. Moreover, other media organisations and members of the public are unable to follow up with the reports concerned. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) whether the information concerned in the aforesaid reports was disseminated by the Government to the media organisations concerned; if it was not, why the Government has not made any denials or clarifications; if it was, of (i) the identities of the government sources disseminating the information to the media organisations concerned, the government departments or policy bureaux to which they belong, and the facts based on which they disseminated the information; (ii) the details of the opinion surveys on Occupy Central conducted by external organisations commissioned by the Government, including the government departments or policy bureaux that requested for the conduct of the surveys; and (iii) the objectives of the Government disseminating the information concerned to the media selectively and anonymously; and
(2) of the circumstances under which it anonymously disseminates information to the media; whether the authorities have established any standard and guidelines on this means of information dissemination; whether it has analysed and assessed the effects of this means of information dissemination, including the Government being alleged to manipulate the media and unfairly treat the individuals or organisations named, etc.?
Reply:
Mr President,
It is the objective of the Government, in pursuing "people-based" governance, to formulate policy initiatives that can be understood, supported and monitored by the public. To this end, the Government makes its best endeavours to disseminate information to them through multiple channels and to clarify misunderstanding of public policies, measures, work and services.
The media are a vital bridge between the Government and the community. A lot of government information and messages are conveyed to the general public through the media. Therefore, the Government has all along maintained close contact with the media.
Government policy bureaux and departments adopt a proactive and positive approach in the dissemination of information, adhering to the principle of openness and transparency. It is our practice to disseminate public information promptly when announcing major policies and measures, or to update the community on significant incidents. The Government often holds press conferences to explain its policies or decisions, while government officials also respond to media questions at public functions and attend radio and TV interviews and programmes from time to time. Additionally, a large number of press releases are broadcast every day to provide the public with a better understanding of government work.
In short, the Government's means of disseminating information through the media include:
1. Press conferences and stand-ups;
2. Press briefings and background briefings;
3. Press releases and transcripts;
4. Blogs, op-ed articles and letters to the editor;
5. Radio phone-in programmes, talk shows and TV programmes;
6. Interviews and visits;
7. Announcements in the Public Interest; and
8. Replies to media enquiries.
People in the media industry may know that there are many ways of media reporting. It can be on the record, quoting the interviewees by name. It can also come from anonymous sources whose names not quoted. Generally speaking, quoting anonymous sources to reveal information can be found from time to time and non-attributable reporting is a common practice in the media world.
The Government will commission academic research institutions and private research institutes from time to time to conduct opinion surveys on various topics including political, economic and social issues as well as governance and livelihood concerns so as to better understand public opinion and take the pulse of the community.
Ends/Wednesday, July 9, 2014
Issued at HKT 12:42
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