On the other hand, just, two day before, in a statement marking the 94th anniversary of the South China Morning Post, editor Jonathan Fenby stated practically the opposite.
"We do have a role to ensure a free and impartial flow of information. Of course, we make mistakes. Of course, we are subject to the pressures that apply to most newspapers. What is important is that a free and reliable flow of information is maintained. That is important not only in itself, but, also as part of the general freedoms which make Hong Kong what it is - and what I hope it will remain," he said.
These conflicting views have led to concerns over self-censorship. "The media have created a culture of silence and importance," said Emily Lau, former Hong Kong legislator and a columnist for the Post.
Moreover, the ownership of the Post has installed a "consultant" from the China Daily right next door to Fenby's office. This has set off all kinds of rumors but it remains to be seen what the newcomer's role will be.
"I think the fact that many people here and overseas ask if we have self-censorship is a problem in itself. The whole question of self-censorship is too complicated to simply be answered by a yes or no," said Chris Yeung, political editor of the Post.
Even Fenby seemed to suggest this, "I can say hand-on-heart, that since July 1, as far as I am concerned, there has been no political attempts by the new administration to stop us from doing anything. I was lobbied in the past by the Government House under British rule but nobody has rung me up from the chief executive's office to say 'do this, do that,'" he said.
The Post's finest hour recently was its heavy coverage of the release and subsequent passage to the United States of famous Chinese Mainland dissident Wei Jingsheng. This was part of an apparent deal between Mainland Chinese leader Jiang and U.S. President Bill Clinton.
For the fourth year in a row, Hong Kong was judged to have the world's freest economy, thanks to its low taxes, almost nonexistent trade barriers, a world-class banking system and minimal regulation.
The judgement mentioned is contained in the Heritage Foundation/Wall Street Journal Index of Economic Freedom, a 408-page survey that rates the economic freedom in 156 of the world's 190 countries.
The report is notable for its omission of any reference to press freedom, even though the Asian Wall Street Journal is published in Hong Kong.
The recent decline of Hong Kong's stock market has nothing to do with the former British colony's level of economic freedom, according to Hang Seng Index officials.
