Hong Kong press freedom drops to 5-year low on global index
Drop in global ranking comes amid government moves to hide personal data of company directors and delays in granting TV licences
Hong Kong's ranking for press freedom has fallen to a five-year low of 58 among 179 places worldwide, the latest index compiled by Reporters Without Borders shows.
When the global index started in 2002, five years after China resumed sovereignty of the city from Britain, Hong Kong came 18th. Its position sank to 56th the following year.
The latest drop coincides with fears over the government's plan to hide key information of firm directors in a revision of the companies law. Local journalists see the change as detrimental to investigative journalism.
"[Chief Executive] Leung Chun-ying promised a law on freedom of information during his election," Mo said. "He has paid lip service to an archives law. It turns out he has avoided and procrastinated on both issues."
Mo said "self-censorship remains quite rampant". She also cited the government's delay in issuing free-to-air television licences and a proposed stalking law that could hinder journalists.
The city's ranking in the World Press Freedom Index 2013 released yesterday was down from 54 the year before. The non-governmental, Paris-based Reporters Without Borders promotes freedom of information.