Source:
https://scmp.com/comment/insight-opinion/article/1133330/culture-secrecy-has-no-place-arts-hub
Comment/ Opinion

Culture of secrecy has no place in arts hub

Workers work on the Bamboo Theatre at West Kowloon Cultural District. Photo: Edward Wong

Transparency is an essential component for good public governance. It enables people to keep a close watch on the government, give them a say on public affairs and it holds officials accountable in the event of wrongdoing. The principle, which applies to statutory bodies funded by taxpayers, has served Hong Kong well. Any move that goes against the spirit of openness should be questioned and rejected.

The apparent U-turn taken by the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority over its board meetings is disturbing. Without any prior notice, the authority has apparently stopped giving public access to its board meetings via webcast. No agenda or minutes have been uploaded to the website since April 2010. Even some board members were baffled when told about the change and found it unacceptable.