Where is the proof of Hong Kong leader Leung Chun-ying’s abuse of power over left luggage?

The film Truth by Robert Redford, which played recently in Hong Kong, tells the true story of the production and airing of a CBS 60 Minutes programme in September 2004. It used four of six documents obtained by producer Mary Mapes from unverifiable sources within the Texas Air National Guard to question – two months before the US presidential election – whether George W. Bush, who was seeking re-election, had completed his training at the Air National Guard in the 1970s.

The documents, which purportedly came from Bush’s commander, the late lieutenant colonel Jerry B. Killian, criticised Bush’s service in the Air National Guard, accusing him of absence without leave and failure to take a mandatory physical examination.

Film review: Truth – Cate Blanchett, Robert Redford shine in journalistic drama

After the programme was aired, it immediately became the subject of harsh criticism, centred on the authenticity of the documents. Less than two weeks later, CBS apologised for having made a “mistake in judgment” in using the Killian documents, stating that it “cannot prove that the documents are authentic, which is the only journalistic standard to justify using them in the report”.

Soon after, CBS set up a review panel to look into what had gone wrong and what action needed to be taken. The findings cost Mapes her job and were said to have led to iconic news presenter Dan Rather retiring a year earlier than scheduled.

I never made anyone cry: Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying issues fresh rebuttal in Hong Kong airport bag saga

Using CBS’ standard to examine Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying’s elder daughter’s “bag-gate” incident, it is easy to conclude that Leung was wrongly accused by many pan-democrats and the local media of having abused his power in the saga.