Media bears heavy responsibility, Hong Kong leader says as he calls on journalists to abide by code of ethics
- Only those with bad intentions will pick quarrels rather than simply raise questions, John Lee says at reception for annual Hong Kong News Awards
- ‘Everyone can raise questions and make comments, but there is a difference between raising questions and provoking quarrels. The difference between commentating and smearing is even bigger,’ he adds
The news industry in Hong Kong bears a heavy social responsibility, the city’s leader has said, stressing that only those with bad intentions will pick quarrels instead of simply raising questions.
“Everyone can raise questions and make comments, but there is a difference between raising questions and provoking quarrels,” he said. “The difference between commentating and smearing is even bigger, this is the difference between good intentions and bad intentions.
“It is the difference between exerting effort to be constructive and exerting effort to be destructive, it is the difference between working for the good of society and personal benefits. The news industry bears heavy social responsibilities.”
Lee also discussed how technology had advanced multimedia content in the news media and how the industry closely followed the development of AI.
“But no matter how advanced technology gets to the point where it can replace humans or how advanced AI becomes, one thing cannot be replaced and that is societal morals,” he said.
“Professional news reports must adhere to media ethics, which demand fairness and neutrality, as well as adherence to the facts.”
