The United States' new consul-general opposes a proposal to establish a government-appointed press council, warning it would pose a potential threat to media freedoms.
Such an attempt to 'improve' the media would arouse international concern, said Michael Klosson, who took up his post in August but made his first public speech yesterday.
The envoy's comments mark the first time an overseas diplomat has outlined opposition to the controversial proposal made by the quasi-official Law Reform Commission.
Reacting to what it viewed as signs of a deterioration in ethics among some newspapers, the commission recommended in August a council be appointed by Tung Chee-hwa to investigate complaints and impose penalties for privacy intrusions.
'This is definitely a case where some of the proposed cures could prove worse than the disease,' said Mr Klosson.
'We tend to agree with those who say that in general, the best place to address the issue of journalistic ethics is within the journalism community itself.