Sex survey not worthy of inquiring minds

The small number of Chinese University students wanting reaction to articles they published about sex have certainly got it: they face disciplinary action that could involve expulsion and the matter has been taken up by the Obscene Articles Tribunal. They are using press freedom as a defence, but what is at the heart of the matter is less the right to publish than a lack of maturity.

There is a storm in a teacup feel to the incident, prompted by articles published in four issues of the monthly CU Student Press. February's issue caught particular attention beyond the university campus as it contained a survey asking questions about sexual subjects including incest and bestiality.

In many parts of the world, on-campus eyebrows would not be raised if such subjects appeared in a university student publication; college students are encouraged to have inquiring minds, and sex and personal relationships just happen to be among the subjects that young adults wonder about.

In fact, that was the case at Chinese University until the mainstream Hong Kong media got hold of the survey three months after it had appeared in print. Instantly, it went from being a frivolous matter to one of obscenity. Now that objections have been raised and referred to the tribunal, the matter is no longer a campus one. If the survey is considered obscene, those involved will have to abide by its ruling.

University authorities have expressed outrage about the articles after initially being ambivalent towards them. But they should be less concerned about arguments of press freedom than the quality of intellectual thinking of the students behind the project. Presented properly, sex surveys can be beneficial. But the manner in which the questions were phrased in this one revealed nothing scientific, educational or advisory in nature.

Those behind the survey may have considered it a harmless space-filler, guaranteed to get fellow students talking. However, they would have done far better turning their minds to worthier matters of student concern.