25 Aug 2023ReNews#8257
i-CABLE News cites scholar saying risks of diluted Japanese nuclear wastewater are low; report removed hours later
日本昨日開始排放處理後的核廢水，中國及香港官方主旋律齊聲譴責，各大傳媒亦有跟進報道，其中《有線》昨日播出報道，引述日本及各地官方數據，指福島核廢水氚排放量上限，比大亞灣等核電站低，又引述浸大學者指，雖然福島核廢水因接觸過核反應堆芯，會帶有放射性，但按日本方式處理，加上海洋無限稀釋風險不高，唯相關報道在播出後數小時下架刪除，在 google 輸入關鍵字仍能找到搜尋結果，但連結已失效。
Japan began discharging treated nuclear wastewater yesterday. China and Hong Kong’s official mainstream voices jointly condemned the move, while major media outlets also reported on it. i-CABLE aired a report yesterday citing official data from Japan and elsewhere that the upper limit for tritium discharges from the Fukushima nuclear wastewater was lower than those of nuclear power stations such as Daya Bay. It also quoted a Baptist University scholar as saying that although the Fukushima nuclear wastewater was radioactive because it had come into contact with reactor cores, the risk was not high following Japan’s treatment method and the ocean’s unlimited dilution. The report was removed several hours after it was broadcast. Search results could still be found by entering keywords on Google, but the links were no longer active.
19 Aug 2023獨媒#8218
ICAC Discloses CUHK Investigation Despite Past Releases Rarely Mentioning Probes Stephen Shik Ngor Char: Not Naming Investigation Subject Does Not Breach Prevention of Bribery Ordinance
廉署在未有任何拘捕行動下，上周五透過發聲明，公布正在調查中大醫學中心，被坊間質疑偏離一貫調查保密原則。《獨媒》透過翻查廉署過去新聞稿，發現過去一年278篇新聞稿當中，88%是關於拘捕、起訴、定罪及判刑；其餘絕大部分關於廉署活動和專員行程的雜項資訊，關於中大的新聞稿是唯一以聲明方式「證實」傳媒查詢的資訊。廉署主動披露受查機構有沒有觸犯 《防止賄賂條例》？前廉署總調查主任查錫我認為無犯法，不過廉署做法「有少少砸界」，應可避則避，他重申廉署的做法不太理想，對段崇智太太羅聞亞不公平。獨立法律研究員黃啟晹認為廉署或有「合法權限」，構成條例下的合理辯解，反而若果羅聞亞最終成為「受查對象」，傳媒報導反而有機會觸犯「披露受查人」罪行。
Without making any arrests, the ICAC issued a statement last Friday announcing an investigation into CUHK Medical Centre, prompting public questions over whether it had departed from its usual principle of keeping investigations confidential. The Witness’s review of the ICAC’s past press releases found that, of 278 releases issued over the past year, 88% concerned arrests, prosecutions, convictions and sentencing. Most of the remainder comprised miscellaneous information about ICAC activities and the Commissioner’s itinerary. The release concerning CUHK was the only one issued as a statement to “confirm” media enquiries. Did the ICAC’s proactive disclosure of an institution under investigation breach the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance? Former ICAC chief investigator Stephen Shik Ngor Char said it did not constitute an offence, although the ICAC’s approach had “slightly crossed the line” and should be avoided where possible. He reiterated that the ICAC’s approach was not ideal and was unfair to Duan Chongzhi’s wife, Lo Man-nga. Independent legal researcher Edward Wong Kai-yeung i said the ICAC might have “lawful authority”, constituting a reasonable excuse under the Ordinance. Conversely, if Lo Man-nga ultimately became a “person under investigation”, media reports could potentially constitute the offence of “disclosing a person under investigation”.
19 Aug 2023獨媒#8219
ICAC publicly named investigation subjects before case conclusion only twice in 13 years, citing “public interest”
調查保密一向是廉政公署的金科玉律，對受查人的身份、甚至是「受查」本身事實，都受《防止賄賂條例》第30條限制而禁止披露。《獨媒》翻查2010年至今的廉署新聞稿，發現多來年廉署僅兩次主動在未有任何拘捕行動前，主動披露調查行動，一次是廉政專員湯顯明被指貪污，另一次是時任立法會議員梁國雄爆料有人以「1億元」賄賂他在2015年政改投支持票。兩次主動披露，廉署都強調偏離以往「不評論」做法的原因，是出於「公眾利益」。
Confidentiality in investigations has always been a cardinal principle of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). The identities of persons under investigation—and even the fact that they are being investigated—are subject to restrictions under Section 30 of the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance and may not be disclosed. A review by InMedia of ICAC press releases from 2010 to the present found that the ICAC had proactively disclosed an investigation before any arrests on only two occasions over the years. One involved then-ICAC Commissioner Timothy Tong being accused of corruption; the other involved then-Legislative Council member Leung Kwok-hung revealing that someone had offered him “HK$100 million” to vote in favour of the 2015 constitutional reform. On both occasions, the ICAC stressed that it had departed from its usual practice of “not commenting” because it was in the “public interest”.
15 Aug 2023HK01#8202
Reports Say Voting Participation Rate Is Low; Junius Ho: No Rule Requires Lawmakers to Sit Through Votes, Says Reporters Should Be Assessed
選委界別立法會議員何君堯今日（15日）在社交平台發文，不點名反擊有報道指議員參與政府法案表決比率低。作為其中一名被指參與率低的他辯指，完善選舉制度後，議員分工合作「不須要坐足衆多事務委員會，亦沒有規定要坐定定表決，表決權是屬於議員的，投票率高低並不能概括定論甚麽」。
他更把予頭指向傳媒，質疑有人想帶風向貶低經完善的選舉制度：「看不出原因為何記者無須接受考核和登記制度呢，相信是時候為這些無冕皇帝「立憲」了！」不過，被指參與表決率最低的林順潮則稱樂於接受媒體監督。
Junius Ho, a Legislative Council member from the Election Committee constituency, posted on social media today (15th), indirectly hitting back at reports that lawmakers had low participation rates in votes on government bills. One of those said to have a low participation rate, Ho argued that after the electoral system was improved, lawmakers divided up their work and cooperated with one another, adding that they “do not need to sit through all the many panels, nor is there any rule requiring them to sit still for votes. The voting right belongs to lawmakers, and a high or low voting rate cannot by itself lead to any general conclusion.”
He also turned his criticism towards the media, questioning whether some people wanted to influence public opinion and disparage the improved electoral system: “It is not clear why reporters do not have to undergo assessment and a registration system. I believe it is time to establish a constitution for these ‘uncrowned emperors’!” Lam Shun-chiu, who was said to have the lowest voting participation rate, said he was happy to accept media scrutiny.
14 Aug 2023光傳媒#8191
International Financial Centre Becomes China-Centred Financial Centre; Financial Times Says Hong Kong Judicial Independence Is Questioned and Corporate Lawyers “Self-censor”
特首李家超多次表示香港有普通法制度優勢，矢言要將港發展為亞太區國際法律及爭議解決服務中心，但外界對司法信心存疑。《金融時報》報道，因中國政府的影響，香港司法獨立受到質疑，進而影響企業律師（Corporate Lawyers）的信心，並出現「自我審查」，往往選擇更少爭議的案件。報道引述受訪者直言，香港已由國際金融中心，變成「以中國為中心」的金融中心。
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has repeatedly said that Hong Kong’s common-law system is an advantage and pledged to develop the city into an international legal and dispute-resolution services centre in the Asia-Pacific region. But confidence in the judiciary has come under question. The Financial Times reported that the influence of the Chinese government has led to doubts about Hong Kong’s judicial independence, affecting the confidence of corporate lawyers and prompting “self-censorship”, with lawyers often choosing less controversial cases. The report quoted interviewees as saying that Hong Kong had changed from an international financial centre into a financial centre “centred on China”.
8 Aug 2023光傳媒#8167
Foreign Media Focus on “Soft Resistance”; The Economist Says Vaguely Worded Warnings Spread Fear
海關關長何珮珊今（8日）在《大公報》撰文指，海關會嚴查「軟對抗」物品進入香港或輸往中國，切實維護「政治安全」。《經濟學人》（The Economist）近日發表專題報道，形容政府透過措辭含糊的警告，散播對「軟對抗」的恐懼，指該術語似乎可適用於任何政府不喜歡的政治活動。
Customs Commissioner Ho Pui-shan wrote in Ta Kung Pao today (the 8th) that Customs would strictly inspect items related to “soft resistance” entering Hong Kong or being exported to China, in order to safeguard “political security”. The Economist recently published a special report describing the government as spreading fear of “soft resistance” through vaguely worded warnings, saying the term appears applicable to any political activity the government dislikes.
3 Aug 2023光傳媒#8134
China’s Ministry of State Security’s WeChat Video “With Me” Mentions Hong Kong Anti-Extradition Bill Movement
中國國家安全部近日啟用微信公眾號，繼前天（1日）發表首篇文章《反間防諜需要全社會動員》，鼓勵全民反間諜，今（3日）發布宣傳片《有我》，部分內容提及香港，包括1997年香港主權移交、2019年反修例運動、2020年《國安法》實施等「香港元素」。
China’s Ministry of State Security recently launched a WeChat public account. After publishing its first article, “Counter-Espionage Requires Mobilisation of the Whole Society”, the day before yesterday (1st), encouraging the public to combat espionage, it released a promotional video, “With Me”, today (3rd). Parts of the video mention Hong Kong, including such “Hong Kong elements” as the 1997 handover of sovereignty, the 2019 Anti-Extradition Bill Movement and the implementation of the National Security Law in 2020.
2 Aug 2023光傳媒#8123
Department of Justice Annual Reports Remove Staff Group Photos; Some Prosecutors’ Names Cannot Be Found in Government Directory
《獨立媒體》早前揭發，律政司將2019年或以前的年報下架，而僅存三年的年報裏，律政司人員照片近乎「清零」。《光傳媒》找到部分已下架的年報，在2016至18年的年報律政司均有刊登各分科人員的合照，包括法院的檢控官，到2019年就取消刊登合照安排。除了年報下架，政府電話簿現時無法搜索到部分檢控官的資料，有關人士去年曾被美國一個委員會點名建議制裁。
InMedia previously revealed that the Department of Justice had taken annual reports from 2019 and earlier offline, while staff photographs had been almost completely removed from the only three years of reports remaining. Gwong Media found some of the reports that had been taken offline and noted that the Department of Justice published group photographs of staff from various divisions, including court prosecutors, in its 2016–2018 annual reports, but discontinued the practice in 2019. In addition to the removal of the annual reports, information on some prosecutors cannot currently be found by searching the Government Telephone Directory. The individuals concerned were named last year by a US commission, which recommended sanctions against them.
27 Jul 2023集誌社#8089
Public Opinion Research Institute survey | 10 surveys to stop being published, shifted to internal reference or paid access
香港民意研究所早前宣布，部分調查將不會公開發布。民研總監鍾庭耀今日（27日）表示，有四分一民調題目將取消，包括關於支聯會、中國人權狀況等問題，部分調查則轉為內部參考。鍾說要「與時共舞」，解釋做法考慮資源、市民對資料重視程度、以及風險評估等因素，強調無諮詢政府。
早前民研因應政府部門建議，停止發布六四民調，被問到會否影響言論自由空間，鍾庭耀說，他們角色被動，如社會不理睬真相，數據便無作用；他們只能維持歷史使命，留數據供日後參考，「我哋冇能力改變大氣候，或者我哋都唔係一個改變氣候嘅角色，我們只是一個好卑微嘅科學研究者。」
根據民研發表最新的調查，特首李家超民望評分為 49.7 分，首度跌穿 50 分，與歷任特首同期相比，李評分屬第二低，僅高於梁振英同期的 45.8 分。
The Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute earlier announced that some surveys would no longer be released publicly. Institute director Robert Chung Ting-yiu said today (27th) that one-quarter of poll questions would be scrapped, including questions about the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movements of China and the human rights situation in China, while some surveys would be shifted to internal reference. Chung said the institute had to “dance with the times”, explaining that the decision took into account factors including resources, the importance the public attached to the data and risk assessments. He stressed that the government had not been consulted.
After the institute earlier stopped releasing its June 4 survey following suggestions from government departments, Chung was asked whether this would affect the space for freedom of expression. He said the institute’s role was passive: if society ignored the truth, the data would have no effect. It could only uphold its historical mission and retain the data for future reference. He said, “We don’t have the ability to change the broader climate; perhaps we’re not a role that changes the climate either. We are merely very humble scientific researchers.”
According to the institute’s latest survey, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu received a popularity rating of 49.7 points, falling below 50 for the first time. Compared with previous chief executives at the same point in their terms, Lee’s rating was the second-lowest, higher only than Leung Chun-ying’s 45.8 points.
24 Jul 2023明報#8064
RTHK’s diverse sexual-orientation programme “One of Us” to be taken off air in August; veteran host Siu Fai (Prof) Leung: “We got 17 years out of it”
香港首個多元性向文化節目《自己人》於港台2006年5月6日首播，逢周六深夜播放兩小時。昨凌晨節目元老主持梁兆輝宣布接到通知，播放17年的《自己人》以「節目調動」為理由，將於8月起被停播。眾節目主持在《自己人》的社交平台向聽眾話別，梁兆輝寫道這一天終於到臨， 節目結束也意味他會暫別咪前，「值得留戀的，早就不存在，不必自欺」。
Hong Kong’s first cultural programme on diverse sexual orientations, “One of Us”, premiered on RTHK on May 6, 2006, and aired for two hours late every Saturday night. In the early hours of yesterday, veteran host Siu Fai (Prof) Leung announced that they had been notified that the programme, which had been broadcast for 17 years, would be taken off air from August on the grounds of “programme rearrangement”. The programme’s hosts bid farewell to listeners on its social media platform. Siu Fai (Prof) Leung wrote that the day had finally arrived, and that the end of the programme also meant they would temporarily step away from the microphone: “What was worth cherishing ceased to exist long ago; there is no need to deceive oneself.”
Translations are supplied by the source workbook. Consult the original reporting for context.
