Judge 'concerned' over Hong Kong University's gag order as city's media prepare to fight for press freedom

A High Court judge has expressed concern over the broad scope of a gag order secured by the University of Hong Kong to ban publication of information about its council, ahead of a hearing today that will see a journalists' group, a newspaper and a lawmaker apply to take part in arguing against the ban in the name of media freedom.

Mr Justice Godfrey Lam Wan-ho spoke yesterday at a hearing where Commercial Broadcasting agreed to settle with the university and to be bound by an agreement not to publish further information about HKU's governing council, including any papers and minutes.

The radio station also pledged not to air two leaked audio clips of a council discussion it had broadcast before.

It undertook not to contest the terms that originated from an interim injunction order issued by another judge last Friday.

But Lam, presiding over yesterday's session, wondered aloud about the possible impact of applying the order on parties other than Commercial Broadcasting.

"My concern is that your claim results from a breach of confidence, and now you are seeking a perpetual injunction on all meetings, future, past and present," Lam told HKU counsel Clifford Smith SC. "I can see it's a little unusual."