Latest news with #CodeonAccesstoInformation
RTHK
19-05-2025
- Politics
- RTHK
Reports removed to ensure accuracy: Ombudsman
Reports removed to ensure accuracy: Ombudsman The Office of The Ombudsman says old reports may contain information that is "misleading". File photo: RTHK The Office of The Ombudsman said on Monday that it has removed investigation reports that are 'no longer up to date' from its website, saying that old reports could contain information that misleads the public. In the statement, the Ombudsman said it reviews content on its website from time to time to ensure its accuracy and relevance, noting "only [reports] from the past three years" are being retained on its website following the latest update. It said people can apply for information that is not available on its website by completing a form online, email or in writing, starting on Tuesday. The office added that it had also removed old reports and only retained those from the last decade during its previous website update in 2022. The 'Code on Access to Information', a category which listed out complaints filed by citizens was also removed from the website. Writing on social media on Monday, lawmaker Gary Zhang described the move as a step backwards, saying it is a key responsibility of the office to maintain transparency. 'If the Ombudsman relaxes its own standards, this will send the wrong message to officials it monitors. I really don't hope to see this kind of domino effect, which is a step backwards in being transparent and open,' he wrote. In a letter to Ombudsman Jack Chan, social welfare lawmaker Tik Chi-yuen also expressed concern and requested a thorough explanation. Tik said the Ombudsman's duty to monitor government departments is based on openness and transparency. He urged the office to restore all removed reports to its website and bring back the 'Code on Access to Information'.
HKFP
19-05-2025
- Politics
- HKFP
Hong Kong gov't watchdog removes decades of reports, other documents for ‘website management'
Hong Kong's government watchdog has removed decades' worth of annual and investigative reports, as well as other documents, from its website, saying the move is for 'more effective website management.' Apart from annual reports and investigation reports, the Office of the Ombudsman also removed mediation examples and press releases dated earlier than 2023 from its website. The Ombudsman's website currently only shows investigation reports and press releases from April 2023 onwards, while the earliest available mediation examples are dated September 2024. An archived version of the Ombudsman's website shows that investigations dating back to 2013-14 were still accessible as of at least January. Only two annual reports – for the years 2023-24 and 2022-23 – are now available on the website, while previously, annual reports dated as far back as 2003-04 were accessible. The Ombudsman's page on cases relating to the government's Code on Access to Information now redirects users to its Direct Investigation Operations page. In an emailed reply on Friday, the Ombudsman said, 'To maintain accuracy and make available the latest and relevant reports for public information as well as for more effective website management, we have refreshed the content to include information on the latest three years.' According to the Ombudsman, it will retain and not delete published information, while requests for information not included on the website should be made in writing to the office. It did not elaborate on the procedure for requesting information. 'Must be properly preserved' Addressing the Ombudsman's move, former secretary for the civil service Patrick Nip said on Friday that good governance 'emphasises transparency, public engagement, and accountability.' 'Reports and surveys published by government bureaux and departments, public organisations, and independent commissions are important references,' he said in a Facebook comment replying to veteran journalist Lam Miu-yan's post on the Ombudsman's decision. 'Unless there are special reasons, they must be properly preserved and made easily accessible to the public,' Nip added. Lam herself said she understood that departments and organisations would revise their websites now and then, 'but when choosing what to keep, they should retain information of significant reference value to the public, so that the public can browse it free of charge at any time.' 'Even if some information has to be cut to 'make room,' it seems excessive to cut records down to three years,' she said. Lawmaker Gary Zhang shared Lam's post, saying that the Ombudsman, as a 'gatekeeper' for the government's code, should aim beyond the statutory requirement when it comes to matters involving access to information. 'I really cannot think of any reason that can justify deleting the previous reports,' he said.
