A lawyer warned yesterday of the consequences for press freedom if the Government criminalised harassment that led to distress.
Audrey Eu Yuet-mee backed the Law Reform Commission's proposal to make harassment causing 'alarm' a criminal offence but rejected its suggestion that harassment causing 'distress' be criminalised.
This would entail the media having to explain in court that their coverage of a public figure was 'reasonable'. People 'distressed' in such cases could seek an injunction to restrain the media or file a civil suit, she said.
Ms Eu, the Legco by-election contender and former Bar Association chairwoman, was speaking at a forum on the anti-stalking law and press freedom organised by the law association of the University of Hong Kong Students Union.
Under the new offence of harassment proposed by the commission, stalkers who caused 'alarm and distress' would face up to two years in jail.
Citing cases of public figures having extramarital affairs and of a lecturer who was sacked over allegations he assaulted his wife and daughter, Ms Eu asked whether these were private matters or newsworthy events.
