Will the Hong Kong news media remain free after the Chinese takeover? Will the people continue to enjoy the freedom of expression under Chinese communist rule? With only seven weeks to go before the change of sovereignty, questions relating to press freedom and freedom of expression are being asked by many residents and foreign visitors.
The significance of this is recognised by all. Without a free press, views critical of the rich and the powerful will not be published.
The ruling elites will literally be able to get away with murder because whatever outrageous acts they perpetrate will not be reported.
The question of press freedom came under the spotlight last week when the Journalism Department of the Chinese University published findings of a survey conducted last summer.
About 900 questionnaires were sent to journalists working in 22 news organisations, and 553 were returned.
More than half of the respondents agreed many journalists were wary of reporting which is critical of the Chinese government. More than one third of the respondents were also wary of criticising big business.