Free Speech

Free speech in China:

an analysis of press coverage of the Article 23 debate Alan Knight

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Article 23 as seen by Hong Kong cartoonist, Kee Yung

http://www.paris-hongkong.com/tigertaming/42article23.html

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Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world, Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people, Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law… Preamble to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html)

4 Introduction

Freedom of speech is much spoken about but less frequently practised. According to Article 19 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression. “This right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media regardless of frontiers,” the declaration said.

In most countries there is a gap between the ideal of free speech and the reality. Perhaps nowhere is this gap so glaring than in mainland China, where despite contstitutional guarantees, all media are rigorously controlled by the Communist party. Yet China today also encompasses the Special Administrative Region (sar) of Hong Kong, a long-standing beacon of a free press in Asia. This paper examines the contradictions, political

consequences, and implications for freedom of speech in both Hong Kong and China that arises from that unique and optimistic...