Responsible media needed, stresses Xi

Hong Kong needs patriotic and responsible media to uphold the truth, says President Xi Jinping.

In a letter to congratulate Ta Kung Pao's 120th anniversary yesterday, Xi praised the pro-Beijing Chinese newspaper for "continuously demonstrating positive voices and fostering society's cohesiveness."

He said he hopes the newspaper will continue to stay true to its aspiration to promote the patriotic tradition and "to steadfastly and successfully implement one country, two systems."

The letter was read out by the director of Beijing's Liaison Office in Hong Kong, Luo Huining, at the anniversary ceremony at the Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Xi said the newspaper has "made contributions in safeguarding Hong Kong's stability, promoting exchanges between Hong Kong and the mainland, as well as fostering the reunification of people's hearts with the country."

Luo cited Xi's letter as saying the president would like the newspaper to write more remarkable chapters for realizing the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation and expand its media influence.

"This is also a genuine instruction to all media which love the country and Hong Kong, and all participants and builders in implementing one country, two systems," Luo said.

"In a diversified society like Hong Kong, we especially need media that love the country and Hong Kong, which can drain away filth and bring in fresh water, and we need patriotic media people who hold tight to their mission and shoulder their responsibilities," Luo said.

Also speaking at the ceremony, incoming Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said Hong Kong has no limitations in press freedom as long as media workers do not violate the law.

Lee said press freedom is protected by the Basic Law. It is also in line with the international covenant on civil and political rights.

"As long as they do not violate the law, freedom of the press is unlimited," Lee stressed.

"Such standard is the same as the standard in advanced places in the world, including Western countries."

Lee said journalism work has the power of civil society while it also has to bear important social responsibility.

Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor said the media plays an important role.

"No matter how times change, it's unchanged for newspapers and other media to play the functions of collecting and digging out information, making analyses, comparisons, commenting and making proposals for readers and audiences," she said.

Apart from continuing to monitor the government using press freedom, the media should also be aware of safeguarding national security.

New People's Party chair Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee, who is also a member of the Executive Council, was at the ceremony but many lawmakers did not attend following a Covid case at the Legislative Council.

Textiles and garment lawmaker Sunny Tan tested positive on Friday.

He had attended the Legislative Council meeting and the chief executive's question-and-answer session on Wednesday and Thursday.