HK dismisses freedom of speech threat

By Chris Hogg
BBC correspondent in Hong Kong

Hong Kong's government has rejected suggestions that freedom of speech and the freedom of the press are under threat in the former British colony.

Three radio hosts have resigned in as many weeks

It follows the resignation of three radio talk show hosts who complained of intimidation and threats of violence.

The government spokesman said acts of violence or intimidation would not be tolerated in the territory.

Many in Hong Kong are frustrated by what they feel to be political stultification by Beijing.

The accusation is that as elections for Hong Kong's mini-parliament in September get nearer, those who criticise the territory's government or the authorities in Beijing are being targeted by extremists.

Three radio talk show hosts have resigned in as many weeks. The most recent, Alan Lee, said this was the most serious situation in terms of polarisation of political views in 25 years.

Another host, Raymond Wong, told a local magazine that what he called pro-Beijing forces had sought to silence him through coercion and offers of cash.

Some pro-democracy legislators have complained their offices have been vandalised and that they too have been threatened.

But a local deputy of China's National People's Congress in Hong Kong has demanded the radio hosts give more details of the pressure they claim forced them to quit.

Wong Man-kong characterised the departures as normal job replacements.

Hong Kong's government said it was firmly committed to upholding the law.

It said that if and when acts of intimidation, threats or criminal damage occur, the police would take them very seriously indeed.