National security law: Carrie Lam admits new censorship rules have caused Hong Kong filmmakers anxiety
- But ‘freedom of expression’ not absolute, city leader says, noting Beijing-imposed legislation had provisions that affected nearly every government department
- Commerce secretary Edward Yau will meet with key industry figures and lawmakers to ‘allay their concerns’
“There are several very relevant provisions or articles in the [security law] that require almost every department, individual and organisation to not do things that would undermine national security and harm the nation’s interests, including subverting the central and Hong Kong governments. We have to review all our systems,” Lam said.
I admit it has perhaps caused some anxiety among film industry practitioners and also from members representing the cultural sector, such as [lawmaker] Ma Fung-kwok
The new guidelines would provide clear rules for civil servants under the film censorship authority, according to Lam, but she also for the first time acknowledged the outcry that was triggered.
“I admit it has caused some anxiety among film industry practitioners ...We need time for communication and clarification of the ‘red line’, ” Lam said, adding that Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development Edward Yau Tang-wah would reassure the sector on that front.
“But one has to accept that rights and freedoms – including freedom of expression are not without restrictions.”
