Selective disclosure is an art. A good example of how it can be exploited to advance one's cause is being played out in the continuing saga over the preservation of the old Star Ferry pier in Central. As activists tried to stop the demolition of the historic icon, it was revealed that a study of the structure's heritage value had apparently been 'hidden' from the public.
The 2001 study on the historic value of the Star Ferry pier, particularly the clock tower, formed part of the environmental impact assessment of the Central reclamation. The report's author argued that the structure was worth preserving, as it was a landmark associated with the development of public transport and the 1966 riots sparked by a five-cent fare increase.
But, unlike the reports of other studies on the reclamation, it was not posted on the website of the Environmental Protection Department. Officials maintained that there was no question of them trying to hide the report. They said it had been available for public inspection at the relevant office, as required by law: they blamed technical problems for the missing hyperlink to the report on the website.
The explanation is a reminder, to those who want to take on the government, not to accept official information at face value. The government, like any other organisation, does not have an obligation to arm its critics with facts and figures unfavourable to its causes.
Short of a thorough investigation to learn why the hyperlink was missing, one cannot help but feel that the 'technical problems' were the result of deliberate oversight. The government is determined to reclaim that part of the harbour. It has, therefore, been selective in giving the public access to the relevant reports.
The government has not breached any law, as it is not a legal requirement to post environmental impact assessment reports on the internet. Following a public outcry, a hyperlink to the report has since been established. With hindsight, it's clear that the activists who used civil disobedience to try to block the demolition of the clock tower were too slow in asserting their case. They should have spoken up a lot earlier: by now, theirs is a lost cause.