- Readers can report inappropriate or sensitive books by filling in form at one of city’s 71 public libraries or sending email
- Democratic Party chairman concerned over lack of specific, clear instructions for staff to judge content, saying move undermines city’s open atmosphere
Hong Kong authorities have launched new ways for library users to report titles that are inappropriate or endanger national security. Photo: Jelly TseAuthorities in Hong Kong have launched new channels for library users to report titles that are inappropriate or endanger national security in support of continued efforts to remove books that might breach city laws.
The Leisure and Cultural Services Department on Thursday said that when readers found books that “exaggerate violence, pornography and vulgarism, violate the laws of Hong Kong or endanger national security”, they can either fill in a form available at all public libraries or send an email.
Information, including the book’s title, section, page number and paragraph should be provided, it said.
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The department, which runs the city’s 71 public libraries, added that action would be taken after reports were received, including the removal of library materials from shelves for review.
Li Ka-leung, the convenor of a books quality concern group and a member of the city’s largest political party, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong, supported the new reporting methods.
“The move makes it convenient for the public to supervise the library collections, as well as to guarantee titles on shelves are suitable for readers of all ages,” he said.
But Democratic Party chairman Lo Kin-hei said the move was “unnecessary” and “not doing Hong Kong any good”.
He added he was also concerned department staff would remove all reported books because there were no specific regulations for them to judge the content.
“Such a move is detrimental to the function of libraries as a conduit for knowledge and information. It also undermines the open atmosphere of Hong Kong society,” Lo said.
The department was asked if instructions for assessing books would be given to staff and the public.
“Upon receiving feedback, the Hong Kong public library will promptly review the relevant materials,” it said. “If the materials contain content that endangers national security or exaggerates violence, pornography and vulgarism, they will be removed and invalidated.”
Beijing imposed the national security law on Hong Kong in June 2020 to ban acts of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces.
Hong Kong public libraries are clearing shelves of sensitive books – here’s why some are worried
The department started to remove books said to pose potential threats to national security in May, as demanded by government auditors.
Works by the controversial artist Zunzi, whose two daily political cartoon columns were cancelled by a major city newspaper on May 14, were among the first titles to be removed from library shelves.
Books no longer available in public libraries include those related to the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, the city’s political system and titles on any subjects by opposition figures.
But the Hong Kong government emphasised it was not banning books and that those that passed reviews would be put back on shelves.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu has defended the controversial move several times and insisted books available from libraries had to “serve the interest” of society without breaching the law.