10/27/21, 8:06 PM Hong Kong passes new film censorship law - BBC News

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Hong Kong passes new film censorship law

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Critics say the new law will affect Hong Kong's vibrant film industry

Hong Kong's legislature has passed a new law banning films deemed to
violate China's national security interests, the latest blow to freedom of
expression in the territory.

Punishment for violating the law includes up to three years imprisonment and
$130,000 (£95,000) in fines.

Critics say the legislation will stifle the vibrant local film industry.

Last year, China imposed a national security law on Hong Kong that effectively
outlawed dissent.

The legislation, which came after huge pro-democracy protests in 2019,

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criminalises secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces.

Critics say it is aimed at crushing dissent but China says it is meant to maintain
stability.

The film censorship law was approved in the opposition-free Legislative

Council. It gives the chief secretary - the second-most powerful figure in the
city's administration - the power to revoke a film's licence if it is found to
"endorse, support, glorify, encourage and incite activities that might endanger
national security".

ANALYSIS: China's new law: Why is Hong Kong worried?

EXPLAINER: Hong Kong's year under controversial law

Experts and content producers have raised worries about the impact of the
legislation, which does not cover films posted online, on creativity and
freedom of expression.

Filmmaker Kiwi Chow, whose documentary Revolution of Our Times about the
2019 protests was featured at the Cannes Film Festival this year, told Reuters
news agency the law would "worsen self-censorship and fuel fear among
filmmakers".

A speedy job
By Martin Yip, BBC News Chinese, Hong Kong

The bill was passed by a simple showing of hands, at the last meeting of the
council's much extended current term. And despite the lack of opposition in
the legislature, lawmakers still debate.

Councillor Luk Chung-hung claimed it was political films that hindered

creativity, not the proposed censorship law. Another councillor, Priscilla
Leung, who is also a law professor, insisted the bill was in full compliance with
human rights laws, and she hoped to stop such films from "brainwashing"
young people.

Filmmakers will certainly be concerned. Dr Kenny Ng of the Hong Kong

Baptist University's Film Academy said the new law would see film distributors
worrying if their already-approved films would be withdrawn, meaning more
uncertainty in the industry.

As for the lawmakers, it is time to prepare for winning their job back as the
election takes place in December - under completely new election laws.

The arts industry was already being targeted even before the new law. In June,
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a local theatre pulled the award-winning documentary Inside The Red Brick
Wall, also about the 2019 protests, and its distributor lost government
funding.

Book publishers have admitted to self-censoring and the largest pro-

democracy paper, Apple Daily, closed earlier this year amid a national security
investigation.

Meanwhile, many opposition figures are already in prison or in exile.

The Hong Kong director standing up to China

Related Topics

China Film Hong Kong national security law Hong Kong

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