#Confidentiality #UniversalTesting
Details of Universal COVID-19 Test Remains Shrouded as Government Fails to Disclose the Address of China-Run Labs

The Universal Covid-19 test has concluded for now, but the details of the plans behind the test remains unknown to the public, with the public only knowing of the “Fire Eye Laboratory” at Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park Sport Centre for the time being. However, the government has rejected to discloses the address of the other three testing organisations' labs, including KingMed, Hybribio, China Inspection Company.

HKCNews sent an inquiry about the address of KingMed, Hybribio and Chinese Inspection Company's labs to the government on 10 September.
The government spokesperson replied on 11 Sep, saying that “all medical laboratories in Hong Kong conform to the provisional of laws in Hong Kong… Furthermore, all private laboratories which provide Covid-19 test for the Hong Kong government and all testing laboratories for the universal Covid-19 test have to pass the External Quality Assessment Programmes conducted by the Department of Health. It ensures their techniques of virus testing meet the relevant standard.” However, the government still haven’t disclosed their address.

The journalist has requested the government to explain the reason for the confidentiality were they to not provide the addresses. The Information Service Department replied on 14 September that they didn’t have any further updates.

The journalist sent an email on Tuesday to ask about three testing companies, KindMed, Hybribio and China Inspection Company. There was no reply as of yet.

Source: HKCNews #Sept16

#Covid19Test #FailedState #Transparency #CCPControl
#KindMed #Hybribio #ChinaInspectionCompany #FireEyeLab

#InformationAccess #Transparency #CoronavirusPandemic
Ombudsman: Practice of Correctional Services Department on Prison-made Surgical Masks Inappropriate and Inconsistent with the Code on Access to Information

When the coronavirus outbreak started earlier this year in Hong Kong, there was a spike in the demand for facemasks in the city. However, the surgical masks (commonly referred to as #CSIMasks) produced by the Correctional Services Department (#CSD), mainly for government departments, were found on the market for sale, calling into question whether CSI masks have been misused or resold without authorisation.

The “Hong Kong Connection”, a RTHK investigative programme, used the Code of Public Information and lodged inquiries to both the Correctional Services Department and the Government Logistics Department about manufacturing, distribution, and usage of CSI masks. However, both departments refused to reply, citing protection of third-party information and their privacy.

The Office of the Ombudsman carried out direct investigation in March this year upon receiving complaints from the RTHK team. The Ombudsman report, revealed that only one of the receiving organisations of CSI masks refused to disclose further information initially, claiming that “the society is infused with rioting and a culture to smear.”

In view of CSI masks outflowing into the market, the government once responded in February 2020, saying “CSD has been providing masks to non-governmental organisations well before the pandemic outbreak, so it is not surprising to see citizens wearing these masks.” When responding to RTHK inquiry, CSD insisted not disclosing any information involving a third-party.

In a post on the RTHK-programme “Hong Kong Connection” Facebook on September 17, it quoted the Ombudsman report which found RTHK-complaint well substantiated. The report pointed out omission of information in CSD practices in 2017 and 2018, it also found CSD’s refusal to provide information on non-governmental organizations inconsistent with the Code of Public Information and recommended CSD to re-examine and disclose information as much as possible.

Source: Stand News #Sept18

#FailedState #Obudsman

The US Regulates Broadcaster to Declare Foreign-Sponsored Programs to Increase Transparency and to Prevent Chinese or Russian Propaganda

Federal Communications Commission (FCC), accounting for regulating broadcasting, has a unanimous vote on Thursday (22 April) that television and radio broadcasting must declare the programs sponsored or provided by a foreign government.

Acting Chairman of FCC, Jessical Rosenworcel, stated that FCC recently received countless reports relating to foreign government-sponsored programs. She indicated that FCC knew that foreign entities purchase broadcast time slots across the country. She especially pointed Chinese and Russian out for their government-sponsored programs.

The original policy does not state when and how a foreign government-sponsored program being publicly reported. Under FCC new-passed regulation, if foreign government entities directly or indirectly purchase time slots through television or radio station, they must state during the broadcasting.

FCC stated in the statement, “This regulation will increase the transparency to make sure audience understand foreign government or its representative’s organisations are using atmospheric waves to persuade American”.

Source: Stand News #Apr24

https://bit.ly/3xsak8Z

#UnitedStates #US #China #Russia #FCC #Radio #Television #Transparency #Propaganda #Broadcasting

More than 20 Diplomats in Beijing Calling China to Release the 2 Arrested Canadians;
China Criticizes Canada for “Gathering Nations and Confusing Right and Wrong”.

Canadian merchant Michael Spavor was being convicted of espionage by a Chinese court and sentenced to 11-year imprisonment. Canadian Foreign Minister Marc Garneau criticized the trial process as a sham trial, being unfair and Opaque.

Diplomats from more than 20 countries, including the United States, Japan, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, and the EU, gathered at the Canadian Embassy in Beijing to show their supports. They urged to have a fair trial or a release of Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized Canada for “gathering individual countries, disregarding the facts and confusing the right and wrong”.

Canadian Foreign Minister Marc Garneau stated in the live broadcast at CTV Television Network on August 11 that the sentence is a lack of fairness and transparency. He also indicated that “We are known that arbitrary detention of China and a sham trial with a lack of transparency and with an unreasonable judgement do not match the International Law”. He continued that the Canadian government was negotiating with Senior officials from China and the US, finding the solution to release both. However, Marc did not reveal any details.

Source: Stand News #Aug12

https://bit.ly/3jaPXb4

#Canada #China #Japan #UnitedStates #UnitedKingdom #Australia #Germany #EU #Embassy #ShamTrial #Transparency #Unfairness #ForeignAffairs #MichaelKovrig #MichaelSpavor #MarcGarneau