HKSAR Government expresses regret over biased commentary in Ming Pao regarding "LeaveHomeSafe" app and search results of National Anthem by Internet search engine
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In respect of anti-epidemic measures, a Government spokesman stressed that the Government has all along been adjusting various measures in a timely manner in response to the epidemic development under the principles of science-based and targeted anti-epidemic measures, as well as the proper management of risks and citizen-focused facilitation. It is on the same basis that the requirement to scan the LHS venue QR codes before entering premises was lifted recently. Meanwhile, various functions of the LHS mobile application such as storing of the Vaccine Pass, Testing Registration Code and testing records would continue to tie in with various existing anti-epidemic measures in an effective manner, hence uninstalling the LHS mobile application will mean users can no longer use these important functions. Thus, it is undesirable for some to conflate the lifting of requirement to scan LHS QR codes with the uninstalling of the LHS mobile application. The spokesman urged members of the public to continue to make good use of the mobile application concerned. The Government will also continue to adjust and optimise anti-epidemic measures in a precise manner having regard to the latest epidemic development and on the basis of factors such as analyses of scientific data, with a view to allowing people's daily lives and economic activities to continue to resume normalcy in an orderly manner on the premise of proper risk management.
The spokesman said, "The writer considered that with the Internet search engine algorithms, the request of government officials for Google to amend the search results is not in line with the spirit of science. This highlights the fact that the writer, who claimed to be a commentator on current affairs, does not understand the severity of the issue. As a matter of fact, The March of the Volunteers, being the only National Anthem of the People's Republic of China (PRC), is the symbol and insignia of the PRC and should be respected and safeguarded by everyone. The issue is a major issue of right and wrong. Any attempt to cause confusion using other songs is simply wrong. It is necessary to point out that the attempt by the writer to use another example to illustrate the current issue in which national dignity is at stake is improper.
Every Internet search engine has its unique algorithm. Nevertheless, when a song closely associated with "Hong Kong independence" is wrongly shown as the National Anthem through such automatic algorithms, it is necessary to correct the error. To our understanding, the relevant Internet search engine has the capability to remove wrong information. We will continue to engage the relevant Internet search engine to rectify the error."
"The HKSAR Government expresses regret over the continuous publication of misleading and biased commentaries by the writer on the platform of Ming Pao," the spokesman said.
Ends/Friday, December 16, 2022
Issued at HKT 21:20
Issued at HKT 21:20
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