Aproposal by the Law Reform Commission to set up a media watchdog to curb invasions of privacy by the press has sparked public concern.
The proposed body would safeguard press freedom, enhance credibility and journalistic ethics, as well as handling intrusion of privacy cases and imposing fines of up to $1 million.
Members of the council would be appointed by a committee selected by a person recognised by the Chief Executive.
The commission said press councils already existed in many countries. But according to its report, press bodies in Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Sweden can only investigate and reprimand newspapers or magazines that are members and, in some cases, only through voluntary co-operation.
However, journalists, legislators and newspapers opposed the move, saying that self-discipline was better than establishing a body to monitor the press.
Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) said the proposal would damage press freedom, particularly when the SAR's democratic structure was not solid and Beijing kept making in timidating remarks about the media. Ronald Chiu Ying-chun of the News Executives' Association said the industry should take the lead to promote its code of conduct, not the Government.
'It should not give the disciplining of the press to outsiders,' he said.