Hand Over & Media Restrictions

Hi all,


This may be a daft question but I really have no idea of the answer so would be keen to get clarity from people already on the ground over in HK (I will be relocating in the next few months).


I am conscious that China doesn't always have the most open policy when it comes to news/media and the type of information that is readily available on the street compared to what I am probably used to in a western democracy. However, I have no idea how much that impacts day to day living in Hong Kong!


Is the internet still a completely free space and can you access all western media websites for example without restrictions? How about newspapers? If there are any restrictions at all are there simple ways to get around them?


Thanks

Thanks Cara. How about BBC? www.bbc.co.uk

I am not aware of any sites being blocked by HK - including BBC. The media is as free in HK as anywhere in the world

As there is self censorship the world over...

I call HK "Sort of China".



I'll chime in with the rest and say that HK has "free speech for 'normal' people". If you were to organize an anti-PRC demonstration, I'm sure your "free speech" would be curtailed, but apart from that sort of thing you won't notice any difference in this regard compared to the UK or the US. Internet communications and media outlets are uncensored by the state.


Ironically, with all the anti-piracy and anti-terrorist laws sprouting up in the US, I think you run more risk of your connection being tapped somehow by the state or other organizations in the US than in HK.


If you're really paranoid, you can always use a web anonymiser proxy (just google "web proxy") to surf. This trick also works from inside the PRC, allowing you to surf any website regardless of restrictions. But again, such restrictions don't exist in HK.





"CNN that is NOT blacked out (although, they delete the US commercials, so you get spots where they play the weather, while normally there would be advertisements)"


Probably this is just CNN saving money. Since the US advertisers on CNN USA don't pay for the transmission of their ads outside the US...


BTW we have CNN Headline News, CNN USA and CNN International. The latter's Asian HQ is in fact in HK.



"As there is self censorship the world over..."


Agreed. It's not really any different from any other "free" country.

I stand corrected IslandHopper.

Hi.


If you are having problem with the internet restrictions. I might be able to help you out. I was able to bypass the Internet filters from my country. I've been looking for answers regarding internet restrictions wherein I can't open some sites. Until my friend recommended me this http://www.sunvpn.com/. It really worked.

The day when there is no freedom of expression for the press, HK will become just a small city, like her neighbors. Land prices will crash.


Meanwhile, the govt is trying to LIMIT press freedom of expression. Since 1997 SCMP with most of the Chinese media practises self-censorship. People read from CNN, WSJ, online for real news since SCMP is no longer a viable news media.


Protest marches have to be approved by the HK Police Dept. So, it is not as "free" as you think.


Protest marches are illegal in S'pore. HK govt is very envious of Spore's authoritarian iron rule. I'll stop at this before this turns into a political debate.