Examinees tackle press freedom

Some 47,000 students were quizzed about the dilemma between press freedom and social responsibility in the liberal studies paper, the first core subject of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education examination (DSE, 文憑試).

The exam on 27 April had three compulsory questions, with the first asking students to “describe one major feature of the public opinions on press freedom in Hong Kong from 2013 to 2018,” and to “identify two contexts in which a dilemma might arise between press freedom and social responsibility.”

A brief overview explained that although the Basic Law states that residents shall have press freedom, there are many concerns.

It said the question does not ask students to choose side in the dilemma. Instead, they have to understand the meaning and needs of press freedom and social responsibility, and identify the contradictions and opposing values.

Students also needed to think about different points of view, such as freedom and order, or rights and responsibilities, it added.

A liberal studies teacher said students only needed to list the context of the dilemma and justify their answers, and were not required to say whether they think press freedom or social responsibility is more important.

Another liberal studies teacher said examiners will only consider whether the candidate’s answer is reasonable. Their political stance is irrelevant to the grading criteria.

(This article is published on Junior Standard on 6 May 2020)

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