Hong Kong media 'self-censoring'

A local journalists' group accused Hong Kong newspapers and TV stations of limiting coverage of the 20th anniversary of China's crackdown on pro-democracy protesters at Tiananmen Square.

Hong Kong media have long been seen as an important window for unfiltered information about mainland China, where most news outlets are state-controlled. But many observers believe self-censorship is increasing.

Hong Kong Journalists Association chairwoman Mak Yin-ting said local publications and broadcasters scaled back their coverage last month of the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown in Beijing to avoid upsetting the Chinese Government.

Out of the dozen or so newspapers in Hong Kong, only two or three devoted significant coverage to the anniversary, while leading TV stations aired just a few special programmes, with some appearing to follow China's line, Mak said.