The government faces a tough task handling public opinion that is increasingly being expressed on the internet, Chief Executive Donald Tsang Yam-kuen said yesterday, referring to lessons learned from the recent failed campaign to save the old Star Ferry pier in Central.
Speaking at the Hong Kong News Executives' Association's 20th anniversary dinner, Mr Tsang acknowledged that more people were using the internet to become their own reporters or editors, setting the agenda of the day through weblogs, or blogs, and mobilising public support for their causes.
'Although I am not qualified to give my opinion in this area, the government will have to do some thinking, such as how to handle the new, rapidly expanding public opinion platform on the internet.'
He said the Star Ferry pier campaign was a good example of a movement born out of the internet.
'How to listen to these opinions in an organised manner is a type of challenge for us, as well as finding a new means for it, since we don't have any specialised formula to process this type of opinion. However, I still believe that sincerity [in listening to others] is most important.'
Mr Tsang insisted that the government had no preset position on the latest consultation exercise on a strategy for heritage protection.
