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Following is the speech by the Chief Secretary for Administration, Mr Henry Tang at the Hong Kong Journalists Association 40th Anniversary Charity Dinner at Hotel Inter-Continental Hong Kong this (May 16) evening (English only):
Ms Fan, Distinguished members of the Fourth Estate, ladies and gentlemen,
That was very cute, Michael. Indeed I did run in 1995 Legco Election and won by 20 basis points. And I also ran in two Election Committee Elections as well as a number of others. So I am very familiar with running but I am not going to tell you what else I will be running tonight. Except if you keep this up, I'll run for the door.
Joking aside, I'd like to congratulate the Hong Kong Journalists' Association on reaching this milestone in their development; and for celebrating this milestone with a charity event.
As you all know, journalists play an important role in free societies such as Hong Kong – you are the eyes and ears of the public. You ask difficult questions. You challenge authority. You inform. You opine. You entertain. Basically, you keep people like me on our toes!
The recent earthquake in Sichuan has also highlighted the vital role that the media plays in helping us to understand the extent of human tragedy, and the incredible stories of sacrifice, heroism and survival that unfold and emerge after such a terrible disaster. I commend the professionalism and dedication of the Hong Kong media and its coverage of the earthquake. As ever, Hong Kong people have responded generously to the many appeals for money, goods, food and medical supplies. Civil servants and many other volunteers from Hong Kong are now in Sichuan helping in the search for survivors.
The many stories that have been carried by the Hong Kong media over the past few days have been instrumental in bringing home to us the massive extent of the damage and suffering in our country at this time. But these stories have also inspired us all to do our own little bit to help our compatriots as best we can in their time of need. Well done. I'd like to ask you to join me in hoping for the safe return of all those on the frontline because every one who is on the frontline now has family members that care and love him.
Indeed the media plays an indispensable role in our daily lives, second perhaps only to bread and butter. Industry figures show that Hong Kong people have some of the highest newspaper readership levels in the world. It is estimated that, on average, every day, everyone in Hong Kong aged 12 or above will read about one and a half newspapers each!
That is a phenomenal figure which no doubt helps us to understand why we have such extensive debate and discussions in Hong Kong on a whole range of issues. It probably also explains why everyone in Hong Kong has an opinion about something! Long may that continue.
As far as the Government is concerned, we are also voracious consumers of news and information. We have to be. Media coverage on our policies and decisions provides an indispensable temperature gauge by which to measure public views and opinions. The media actually helps us do our jobs better. And although we'll sometimes – should I say often? – agree to disagree, the naturally adversarial relationship that exists between the media and the government really boils down to one thing – that we're all just trying to do what's best for Hong Kong. Thank you for all your efforts – and long may they continue too.
The advent and rapid growth of on-line media and citizen journalists presents a considerable challenge to print and electronic media, as well as governments. Blogs, podcasts, P2P file sharing, to name a few, are all having an impact on the traditional role of journalists, as well as an impact on the way in which governments communicate with the public.
In some cases, these new platforms actually create the news, which is followed up by journalists in the 'mainstream' media. Nearly all newspapers, radio stations and TV stations have an on-line presence these days, and are using some of these e-platforms themselves to enhance their readership, and also their revenue base.
But this deluge of information has also created a dilemma – who do we believe, and what do we believe? This is where I believe journalists have an increasingly important role to play. We expect the media to provide factual, balanced and credible coverage of the issues at hand.
Picking through the podcasts or browsing through the blogs are just two more ways in which journalists hunt for stories. But when it reaches print, or goes on TV or the radio as a news story, then we expect the integrity and the values of the journalism profession to come to the fore. If the lines become too blurred, then we all lose out.
Ladies and gentlemen, much has happened in the 40 years since the HKJA was established. Information technology has made your jobs easier in many respects; but it has also substantially increased the pressure on media organisations to provide news, views, information and infotainment at a constantly increasing, often instantaneous, rate.
So, in this era of information overload we look to journalists more than ever to be our eyes and ears. We look to journalists to provide readers such as myself with accurate, objective and balanced coverage on the myriad issues that are important to society, and to continue playing the role of watchdog that you have done so well for the past four decades.
Thank you very much.
Ends/Friday, May 16, 2008
Issued at HKT 21:22
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