The decision to close the magazine had nothing to do with politics, according to the chief editor. Lee Yee, a well-known political commentator himself. He blamed instead the decline in interest in serious magazines, especially among the younger generation. He also accused the Hong Kong media of being overwhelmed by a culture of sensationalism and "shit digging", which eliminated the living space of publications, devoted to political discussion. This is not an uncommon lament among media workers and observers.
Executive editor Fong So, with mixed emotions, concluded that The Nineties had fulfilled its historical mission of arousing concern for China among Chinese people in Hong Kong and overseas. This it had certainly done. But, equally, it could be argued that its historical mission is only just beginning.
Closure has not only been exacerbated by the current financial turbulence. On July 26, 1997, less than four weeks after the handover, the Beijing-controlled New Evening Post ceased publication, marking an end to evening newspapers in Hong Kong. The market for evening papers had long become unsustainable a lifestyles and telecommunications and transportation modes had changed: the crowded Mass Transit Railway, now the preferred mode of commuting, was no place to unfold a newspaper, and anyway radio and television had become, by the 1980s, the Evening Post had managed to outlive rival papers, straddling the transfer of sovereignty for one reason and one reason only: it was funded by the Chinese government. The logic of subsidizing a paper with little or no future diminished the moment the Chinese flag was raised. Its historical mission was fulfilled, too. (5)
Journalists want more public involvement in the debate over media ethics, according to a Hong Kong Journalists Association survey.
A poll in November of HKJA members showed that 77 percent believed ethics are worse or much worse than 12 months earlier. However, the respondents comprehensively rejected press council and media ethics laws. Only 20 percent supported a press council with the powers to fine media outlets, and just seven percent supported laws on media ethics.
HKJA chair Lim Kin-Ming said: "Although some members support legislation, a far greater number want to try other solutions."
Based on strong support from members, the HKJA said it was attempting to set up a new organization, which could lobby for better ethics, offer education, and handle public complaints. This Media Ethics Forum would have no government involvement at all.
However, participation is invited from any person or individual in society who wants to improve media ethics. Mr. Liu said: "This survey shows that, most journalists welcome readers' pressure. They welcome well-informed criticism and know this helps improve standards."
