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07 May ' 03:23
The Bo scandal: how we got that story Sheila S. Coronel, CJR Hong Kong & Mainland China Tensions: Mothers, Tourists, Cars chinaSMACK The Rumor Machine Wang Hui, LRB Beijing Dilemma: Is Chen Guangcheng the Next Fang Lizhi? Perry Link, NYR blog
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02 May ' 00:37
Can an Algorithm Write a Better News Story Than a Human Reporter? Steven Levy, WIRED "Gangbang Interviews" and "Bikini Shots": Silicon Valleys Brogrammer Problem Tasneem Raja, Mother Jones The tweetbomb and the ethics of attention Ethan Zuckerman How Americans Lost Trust in Our Greatest Institutions The Atlantic Peking Opera Masks and the London Book Fair Brendan O'Kane, Rectified.name 先锋作家前传 南方周末 -
20 Apr ' 07:29
Attacks on RT and Assange reveal much about the critics Glenn Greenwald The Master of Bigness Martin Filler, NYROBJailed for Tweeting Language log The Force of the Anomaly Perry Anderson, LRB Arianna Huffington
) The birth of a world-class joke -- The previous and current lives of the fake news story about Chinese men reaching up to touch Kate Winslet in <Titanic 3D>.
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15 Apr ' 14:14
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15 Apr ' 03:21
- [Permalink] The Previous And Current Lives Of A World-Class Joke (04/15/2012)
(Liu Haorui's blog) The birth of a world-class joke -- The previous and current lives of the fake news story about Chinese men reaching up to touch Kate Winslett in <Titanic 3D>.
Audiences and media are questioning why the scene in which Rose bared her top for Jack to paint in <Titanic> was allowed to be shown in mainland China in 1998, but censored in the 2012 <Titanic 3D>. Recently the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television provided this explanation: "Considering the unique characteristics of 3D movies, we were concerned that the audience will reach up to touch during this scene. In so doing, they may hit the heads of the front-row audience, thus causing conflicts. For the purpose of constructing a civilized spirit in society, we decided to remove this scene.
This particular report exploded like a bomb to spread everywhere. At first, it was limited only to the Chinese-language Internet. More recently, it has appeared among foreign media. I just watched a clip of director James Cameron being interviewed on a talk show during which he said: "They were afraid that the Chinese men will reach out to touch the screen." When Cameron emphasized that "This is true," I knew that this is one of the most successful fake stories in recent years.
Although this report is so popular that I cannot even believe that I was the one who made it up, the truth is that facts are facts and lies are lies. And the truth is that this report was the result of a spoof created out of boredom by a person who is about to graduate from university.
The creative idea behind this fake story came from the satirical American website "The Onion." If you want to learn about "The Onion" quickly, you can watch the 2008 American film <The Onion Movie>. I came across this particular cultural style through a Chinese Internet user "Huang Puma", who has written a series of original fake news stories.
People should note that all fake news stories carry the tag #Monologue# for identification purposes. When I published my fake news story, I considered the fact that the Chinese people are not familiar with The Onion's culture, so I used the tag #Fake News Story# so that people won't misunderstand. On April 8, I posted the fake news story on my Renren page and my microblog. I don't have many microblog followers, so that post was quickly forgotten. But the Renren page was forwarded repeatedly and became widely known. Ironically, the report achieved popularity because people began to omit the #Fake News Story# when they forwarded, so that the later recipients were misled.
On the night of April 8, I found that the number of comments at the Renren page was shooting up, including the photo of Kate Winslett. So I got curious and I searched the Sina.com microblogs. I discovered that the story was growing exponentially like microbiological organisms. I was astonished that the official China Business News microblog was forwarding my story minus the #Fake News Story# tag but plus their own #Top Commentator# tag. On one hand, forwarding fake stories is detrimental to the reputation of a media organization. On the other hand, I am an ordinary university student who does not deserve to be crowned as a "top commentator". So I immediately sent a private letter to the China Business News microblog editor. I provided them with the links to my original Renren and microblog posts, and I emphasized that this was a fake news story. The editor responded immediately, apologizing to me and deleting their post.
I am a film lover. Over the past two years, I have watched more than 100 movies per year. In the sea volume of movies, <Titanic> easily ranks among my best ten movies. I think that all those people who have watched <Titanic> will agree about the importance of Rose wearing the Heart of the Ocean for Jack to paint. After all, the sketch retrieved from the ocean was how the love story could be retold.
But the news from the initial screening on April 6 was that the nude scene has been excised. In 1998, the scene had been shown in full (addendum: it has been pointed out to me since that this is an inaccurate statement). I believe that we are more relaxed and tolerant in economics, politics and culture today, so this decision by the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television is incomprehensible. Therefore I used my imagination to speculate on the rationale behind the SARFT's decision and I manufactured a story to satirize cultural controls.
I became concerned that my fake news story would create more misunderstanding as it spreads. I tried to contact the Sina.com microbloggers who were forwarding it to their large followings. I was hoping that they could clarify the truth. But I found that the story was spreading through Twitter, NetEase, Tencent, Sohu and other microblogs as well as the BBS forums. When a bomb has gone off, it is useless for you to stand at ground zero and hope to clear things up with a bucket of clear water.
On the next morning, I found out that Phoenix Entertainment published a news report using my story as if it was the official SAFRT response. But they deleted the information shortly afterwards, possibly because they found out by checking. But in the interim, other websites such as Xinmin forwarded that news story. By this time, the "fake news story" (or simply "rumor") has gone from being "forwarded" to being "believed."
I don't mean to be critical of China Business News. On the contrary, I was impressed by the fact that they responded immediately late at night. Furthermore, they admitted that they had not been rigorous. They said that at a time when the original source of a story is buried under a sea of information, they could only depend on whether the forwarders were verified individual or organizations.
There is something else that makes me want to forgive these pathetic media. "Considering the vivid 3D effects, we fear that viewers may reach out their hands for a touch and thus interrupt other people's viewing. To avoid potential conflicts between viewers and out of consideration of building a harmonious ethical social environment, we've decided to cut off the nudity scenes." This was the first time that I ever saw my own writing being translated in English in such a meticulous and solemn manner. When I Googled this paragraph, I saw that the Guardian (UK), the Daily Mail, NBC, Foreign Policy and other highly trusted foreign media had carried or are still carrying this fake news story on their websites.
As the original manufacturer of this rumor, I can even discern a chain of relationship: Myself -> Essay -> Fake News story -> Internet -> Chinese media -> Foreign media -> director James Cameron. I found that once the "fake news story" was able to reach from the "Internet" to the Chinese media, then it becomes very difficult to dispel the rumor once the media start quoting each other.
This is a drawback to the rapidity of information transmission. If we want to enjoy the convenience of technological developments, we must get used to this disadvantage. If we tried to have an anti-technology revolution to counter these drawbacks, it would be an unbearable consequence for society.
Finally, I want to say something for the satirized and insulted SAFRT. Actress Fan Bingbing once said, "If I want to accept a lot of praises, I must be able to take as much abuse." I want to modify this saying for you: "If you can accept a lot of abuse, then you should look forward to getting even more." Many years from now, you may explain that your present actions are necessitated by the limits of the times as well as the political pressure. But I have no sympathy for you for those moments when you did not have to apply the scissors.
Related Link: Beijing Cream Today In Shitty Journalism: MSNBC, E! Online, Mail Online, And Hollywood Reporter Are Among Those Who Got Trolled By Fake Quote
(Huffington Post) China Censors Kate Winslet's 'Titanic 3D' Breasts. By Chris C. Anderson. April 11, 2012.
James Cameron's "Titanic 3D" censored? At least in China according to Offbeat China. "Titanic 3D" is taking in big crowds despite some being upset that a few of the film's raciest scenes having been censored by China's State Administration of Radio, Film and Television (SARFT).
What was SARFT's reasoning behind the cuts? One satirical Chinese news story interpreted what a SARFT official could be thinking:
Considering the vivid 3D effects, we fear that viewers may reach out their hands for a touch and thus interrupt other peoples viewing. To avoid potential conflicts between viewers and out of consideration of building a harmonious ethical social environment, weve decided to cut off the nudity scenes.
Considering the social unrest in the U.S. resulting from unwanted head massages during viewings of "Titanic 3D," we could only applaud SARFT's foresight in preventing such chaos in the PRC if this were true, which based on previous film "edits", it might not be far from the truth.
Correction Notice: The original version of this article stated that the comment from the fictional SARFT official above was an actual official response. It wasn't. There has been no official response as to why the nude scene was cut.
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11 Apr ' 23:22
U.S. filmmaker repeatedly detained at border Glenn Greenwald
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07 Apr ' 07:45
Capriles, Homophobia, Anti-Semitism and Systemic Violence: Understanding the Venezuelan Elections Rachel Boothroyd, Venezuelanalysis.com Claude Lanzmann Adam Shatz, LRB Virality Uber Alles: What the Fetishization of Social Media Is Costing Us All Arinna Huffington Chinese Youth: A Quick Q and A with Mary Bergstrom Jeffrey Wasserstrom, The China Beat Stream of consciousness blather Language logControl, with apologies to users and friends China Media Project
- How To Write Chocolate In Chinese (04/03/2012)
South China Morning Post) Cafe menus cook up 'discrimination' row By Low Wei and Tanna Chong. April 3, 2012.
Bosses at a new branch of the agnes b. Cafe LPG chain will change menus that use simplified Chinese characters after being accused of discriminating against Hongkongers. The cafe apologised on its Facebook page yesterday after an online outcry over what internet forum users dubbed the "invasion of simplified Chinese" at the new branch in Tseung Kwan O's PopCorn mall.
Internet users were angered to see that menus adopted the simplified characters normally used on the mainland, rather than the traditional Chinese used in Hong Kong, for items such as salad and chocolate. The row comes amid months of tension between Hongkongers and those from the mainland.
Cafe staff apologised on its Facebook page yesterday, and a company spokeswoman said management had decided to replace the wall menus at all branches, but said the company had been using simplified Chinese since at least 2008.
"The Times Square branch - one of the first shops we had - only offered English menus and we received complaints. So we have also included simplified characters at every branch since then. The Tseung Kwan O branch was not the only one," the spokeswoman said. "In light of the complaints, we will replace all our wall menus to include only English and traditional Chinese. Simplified Chinese will be listed alongside the two languages in the printed menus," she said.
Traditional Chinese characters are understood by both mainlanders and Hongkongers, Dr Chin Wan-kan, assistant professor of Chinese language at Lingnan University, said. "It is not right Hongkongers should have to accommodate mainlanders [by changing the characters]," he said.
Character simplification has been used for centuries, but the mainland started to promote simplified Chinese to improve literacy after the Communist Party came to power.
Sai Kung district councillor Gary Fan Kwok-wai says it is unfair to Hongkongers that more shops and restaurants are targeting mainland tourists. "It's disrespectful and discriminatory," he said.
One blogger wrote on HK Golden forum: "[The] mall is for mainlanders. The use of simplified Chinese is normal [there], Hong Kong's businessmen have no dignity." Another wrote: "Chinese people should use simplified Chinese".
) April 4, 2012.
In addition to using a different character set, the agnès b menu also used different translations. Whereas Hong Kong people call "chocolate" as 朱古力, mainlanders have a different transliteration as 巧克力. Also salad is 沙律 as opposed to 沙律.
The successful defeat of simplified characters depended on the rapid response by District Councilor Gary Fan Kwok-wai. He said that the best protest method was a boycott by Hong Kong consumers. One Hong Kong Internet users has set up a group known as "Grand action to search for restaurants with menus that do not contain traditional Chinese characters or English."
AM730) It is a crime to use simplified characters. By Tsang Chi Ho. April 5, 2012.
Hong Kong people are increasingly hostile towards the Great Nation.
In the recent "agnès b menu with simplified characters" incident, somebody found that the said menu contained only English and simplified Chinese characters but no traditional Chinese characters. This touched the nerves of Hong Kong Internet users. Even a District Councilor came out to call for a "boycott."
The Hong Kong Internet users quickly determined that this was a re-run of the D&G incident, the "mainlandization of Hong Kong" and "the erosion of traditional Chinese characters by simplified Chinese characters." That is to say, this is no longer considered the action by a business to facilitate tourism. Instead this is a conflict in the process to join Hong Kong with China. All those who supported the restaurant are denounced as "Hong Kong traitors who are trying to curry favor with the Communists by giving up the special characteristics of Hong Kong."
But this is how the matter should be understood: Using simplified characters is not necessarily an affirmation of simplified characters.
Offering simplified characters is like offering a foreign language interpretation service in a court of law. The service is provided to facilitate communication, and does not imply embrace of that foreign language. Many mahjong houses in the Mongkok district have their rules of the game posted in simplified characters for mainland tourists. Does this mean that Portland Street is fawning upon the Communists?
Secondly, what is the use of simplified characters discriminatory against the local Hong Kong people? The Hong Kong Internet users say that it was because the menu did not contain any traditional Chinese characters.
If that is the case, then how come nobody ever complains against the many famous restaurants (including those with Michelin stars) which carry only English-language menus (sometimes Italian) with nary a traditional Chinese character? That is not because the Hong Kong people adore foreigners, but because we are already used to the English language which is part of our daily lives. Nobody ever complains that the Lan Kwai Fong bartenders can't speak Chinese.
Previously, these famous restaurants only carry English-language menus. As more and more mainland tourists come, the restaurants assume that these tourists are not skilled in English and therefore they provide translations in simplified characters.
In the past, Japanese tourists were a mainstay in Hong Kong and the restaurants provided Japanese translations in their menus. Are we going to denounce these restaurants for catering to the Japanese and discriminating against the local Hong Kong people?
Making it easy on others does not hurting oneself. Should the Hong Kong people be scared at every slight movement and think that it is "curtain call for traditional characters" every time that they spot simplified characters somewhere? It is those people who invoke "Hong Kong has fallen" at every opportunity who are responsible for the fall of Hong Kong's self-confidence.
Selected comments at the HK Golden Forum on Tsang Chi Ho's opinion article.
- English is an official language in Hong Kong, but simplified characters is not.
- He thinks that he is exceptional and pretends that he has certain points, but in fact he is confused and vacuous.
- Let us ignore him. He is worth half of fifty cents. Everything he does makes me puke.
- So it is like this: Simplified characters are not the problem; the problem is that they did not show any traditional characters. Why didn't they post English plus both simplified and traditional characters?
- Brother, this is Hong Kong. You can use simplified characters, but you must have traditional characters first. Anything else besides English and traditional Chinese characters are bonuses (such as simplified Chinese characters, Japanese, French, etc).
- I think that it is disrespectful to have simplified characters but not traditional characters. If you think that we locals are not worth your while to put another character set on your menu, then I can only respond by boycotting you.
- There is no problem with using English. First of all, those restaurants serve western food. Secondly, Hong Kong is an international metropolis and international=English. I have never heard anyone assert that international='simplified Chinese characters." You can eliminate the controversy by eliminating all Chinese characters (simplified or traditional) and use only English.
- Using the emasculated Chinese characters is not discriminatory against the Hong Kong people. The emasculated Chinese characters are an insult to Chinese culture, they betray Chinese culture, they are malignant tumors in Chinese culture, they are disrespectful to the Chinese. In order to defend mainstream traditional Chinese culture, it is necessary to eradicate the emasculated Chinese characters. The people of Hong Kong must turn things around and regard all those who support these ugly characters as Chinese traitors and running dogs.
- The problems are (1) more than 1 billion people use the simplified character system; (2) the region that uses this particular character system is rapidly rising economically recently; (3) the region is in close proximity to Hong Kong; (4) there is a resemblance and relationship between the simplified and traditional characters. Therefore, if this instance (of using simplified Chinese characters as well as mainland terminology for food) is allowed to stand, the local linguistic and cultural ecology and the consciousness and core values will be looking at total collapse.
- Tsang Chi Ho is an underground Chinese Communist Party member.
- Is he stupid? The simplified and traditional characters are the same language, whereas English and Japanese are used because foreigners don't understand Chinese. If they are using simplified characters because they are worried that mainlanders won't understand otherwise, then do they care whether Hong Kong people understand simplified characters?
- You still don't get it. Hong Kong people do not want mainland tourists to be the mainstay. In fact, people everywhere in the world discriminate against mainland Chinese tourists. Sooner or later, the whole world will have signs that say, "Mainland Chinese and dogs are now allowed."
- Political Examination? (04/03/2012)
South China Morning Post) New Test 'simpler but no surprise' Dennis Chong April 3, 2012
After a controversial build-up, 70,000 high school pupils sat the first liberal studies exam yesterday, coming to grips with thorny issues and, in some cases, toning down their answers to avoid "agitating" markers.
Liberal studies became a compulsory subject for upper secondary pupils under the new Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education. There are no model answers for the subject, which is supposed to encourage pupils to express their own views. But liberal studies has sparked sharp debate among observers, with one education group warning that the failure rate could be between 30 and 70 per cent.
Yesterday's exam tested critical thinking on various topics, including globalisation, gender tests for sex-selective abortions, and whether children should be legally forced to support elderly parents. They were also asked to comment on the credibility of political parties in Hong Kong.
Most pupils questioned yesterday said the questions were generally what they had expected. Some said the questions seemed to have been simplified after a practice paper in January was criticised for being too broad and lengthy. Many still thought they would get higher marks by toning down strong opinions, despite assurances to the contrary by education authorities.
Exam-taker Cheung Chi-chung admitted moderating his answers to avoid "agitating markers". "I want to play safe because the person who marks your paper may have subjective feelings towards something. If I answer too conservatively or radically, it may agitate the marker," he said.
Officials have repeatedly said that as long as students' answers make sense, they will score well. Also, at least two teachers will mark each question, to ensure fairness.
Zaref Khan, another candidate, said he avoided questions that required technical knowledge. "I didn't choose a question that asked about the third airport runway in Hong Kong, since it is too broad," he said.
Candidate Kevin Chan, from Kwun Tong, said he could have used 20 more minutes to finish the test.
There was no shortage of commentators on yesterday's exercise, with one education professor saying exam markers would have difficulty setting aside their personal opinions on "extremely controversial issues". Cultural commentator Mathias Woo Yan-wai warned about the advanced nature of the exam. "Every question could be an exam question for university students. I don't even know whether those who grade the subject have enough specialised knowledge of political philosophies."
Political analyst James Sung Lap-kung faulted one question, on Hong Kong's political parties, saying it was problematic because it was based on a survey done last year. "The political situation could have changed a lot from last year to this year," he said.
Dr Leung Yan-wing, who teaches educational policy at the Hong Kong Institute of Education, said that on controversial questions, markers would no doubt find it hard to exclude their personal views. "If the issue involves fundamental core values, it will be difficult for markers to exclude any personal views," he said.
A full review would be conducted after the exam, the Examinations and Assessment Authority said.
Commentator Woo said that rather than being a compulsory subject, liberal studies should become an elective, while more school resources should be used to improve students' understanding of philosophy, literature and history.
The Standard) 'Your stance won't hurt' By Eddie Luk and Candy Luk. April 3, 2012.
For thousands of nervous students, it was an exam question they were not expecting - their views on party politics. The topic cropped up in one of three questions in the compulsory liberal studies subject that students taking the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education exam faced yesterday. Some students now fear their results may be adversely affected if their views do not tally with those marking their papers.
This is the first year students have sat an exam in liberal studies, a core subject dogged by controversy since being launched.
In paper one of the exam, students had to give their opinions on population policy, tobacco control policy and party politics. In paper two, students could choose one of three questions on building infrastructure - the third airport runway - the impact of globalization on Chinese culture and ethical issues concerning DNA tests on fetuses and abortion.
On politics, students were given results of a survey that showed 40 percent of respondents said none of the local parties could safeguard their interests. Students were asked to analyze the implications of the survey and whether they agreed that local political groups could help enhance governance.
Lily Ng, a Secondary Six student at Amoy College, said: "I did not expect our knowledge on party politics to be tested. Indeed, we have not been taught the development of local political parties. "We were only taught the core concepts of the Basic Law, the functions of the Legislative Council and operation of the executive-led government." Ng fears she may not score a high mark as she is not interested in politics but thinks her other answers could see her pass.
Janice Mok, who studies at Fukien Secondary School, also found the questions challenging. Mok said she agreed that local parties have played a key role in monitoring the government and she did not think she will be penalized if her views differ from those of the examiner.
The Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority, however, said a candidate's views will not affect their marks.
"We are trying to test our students on their understanding of party politics, it is a social scenario that political parties are playing a role in governance in which students doing liberal studies should have to know," said Lo Ka-yin, senior manager on assessment development. "No matter what views the candidate may take, a good answer should be presented in a logical flow and be capable of demonstrating critical thinking with solid examples to support."
Sing Yin Secondary School liberal studies teacher Kong Ping-wah said he did not expect such a question in the exam paper. "It would be hard for a student to score a high mark unless he or she had a clear understanding of the different ideologies of the political parties," Kong said.
However, Hui Shing-yan, president of the Liberal Studies Teachers' Association and a teacher at Sun Kei Secondary School, is in favor of bringing up politics. "As politics has become part of the daily life of Hongkongers, secondary students should have a better understanding of the political scene and particulary the issues relating to the 2017 chief executive election and universal suffrage."
Democratic Party lawmaker Wong Sing-chi said such questions will push students to pay more attention to local politics and encourage social participation. But Ann Chan, whose son is in Form Six, thinks otherwise. "It is understandable for party politics to be part of liberal studies but the authority should provide better guidelines as such a question is confusing both the teachers and students."
(The Standard) Hundreds of markers hired to handle first papers. By Candy Chan. April 3 2012.
The exams authority has hired 700 markers to assess the papers of 72,000 students taking the first liberal studies exam.
"Each marker will only assess one question while every question will be scored by two markers," said Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority general manager Christina Lee Wong- wai. "This is to make sure the assessment is carried out in a fair and just manner. "Only the two closest marks will be considered if a third marker is needed."
A third marker will be brought in if there is a wide gap between the first two. Lee said that online assessment has been adopted to help the authority monitor markings and record every mark.
A marker's experience on assessments and knowledge of certain subjects were considered during recruitment. "For liberal studies, a marker with previous experience in A-level liberal studies will be at an advantage."
(South China Morning Post) New exam puts system to the test. April 4, 2012
What sets the new compulsory senior secondary school subject of liberal studies apart is that it comes without model answers from textbooks. It is instead an exercise in reasoned thinking and debate. Hopefully this will enrich our students' education and, indeed, their adult lives, by freeing them from the bonds of traditional rote learning.
Exam questions in the subject for the new diploma of secondary education should therefore invite honest, reasoned expressions of views. It is doubtful that a question asking for comment on the credibility of our political parties met those criteria. Even chief executive-elect Leung Chun-ying would answer that one diplomatically. It would not be surprising, therefore, if some students did so out of concern that pro- or anti-establishment views might have affected marks awarded by a teacher with different views. Given that liberal studies are compulsory, people setting the questions need to be aware of sensitivities arising from divisions in society. Indeed, after the exam, students confessed that they had toned down their answers to a number of thorny questions to avoid the risk of "agitating" the markers. Despite assurances to the contrary by officials, some educators say it will be difficult for teachers to exclude personal views. That tends to suggest that the introduction of liberal studies is an overdue reform of a rote-learning environment. It has to be a worry when future citizens say they feel compelled to self-censor their views lest they offend the people who are supposed to be teaching them how to think critically.
We trust that if students' answers make sense they will score well, whatever stance they take on topics like gender tests for sex-selective abortions and whether children should be forced to support elderly parents. In a planned review of the subject after the exam, the examinations authority should bear in mind that some teachers can apparently benefit from some more reasoned thinking, too.
(Apple Daily) April 3, 2012.
The Liberal Studies "Exam of Death" took place yesterday. The question dreaded by teachers and students about political parties made a surprising appearance as a compulsory question in which examinees have to analyze the impact of political parties on governance. Liberal Studies teachers characterize this question as the hardest one for students to answer. One student said frankly that "it will be hard to achieve a Class 2 result," thus affecting the chances of university admission.
72 thousand persons signed up for the Liberal Studies exam. Paper 1 contained three compulsory questions accounting for 50% of the marks while Paper 2 involved one out of three choice questions accounting for 30% of the marks. The remaining 20% of the marks were for text assessments. The questions cover issues such as ageing population, smoking bans, the third runway at the airport, the cultural impact of globalization and gender testing for pregnant mainland women. The question that troubled examinees is the third question in Paper 1 about political parties.
This particular question had three parts. First of all, the examinees are to analyze the attitudes of Hong Kong people towards political parties on the basis of a public opinion poll about "which political organization in the Legislative Council best represents or protects their interests." Then a news report about the dichotomy between the pro-establishment camp and the pan-democrats is to be used to justify the preceding analysis. Finally the examinees are to explain whether they agree or disagree with the assertion that "the existence of diverse political parties in Hong Kong improves the governance of the Hong Kong government."
After the exam, the Exams Authority issued a brief statement about the assessment process. In the third part of the aforementioned questions, the examinees are asked to point out that the political parties represent different public opinions and supervise the government. Examinees are also entitled to hold the opposite opinion to the effect that political parties may negatively affect governance because of their diverse goals and interests.
Many examinees shook their heads at this question. A Newman Catholic School Form Six student named Lee said that he was handicapped because he lacked knowledge about political parties. He said, "Among the political parties, I only know about the League of Social Democrats and People Power, because they are relatively radical. I don't know the rest." He said frankly, "It will be hard to get a Class 2 result." Since a Class 2 or better result is required for university admission, he is worried that he won't be able to enter university and therefore he is thinking about getting a Yi Jin Diploma instead.
The Teachers Association asked four Liberal Studies teacher to analyze the exam. They thought that the exam was adequate in its depth, with the third compulsory question on political parties being the one to differentiate among students because "it requires background knowledge, the representativeness of political parties in Hong Kong, the democratic system in Hong Kong, the system of accountability, etc."
One teacher said that the Liberal Studies curriculum contained a unit "Hong Kong today" of which half was about party politics in Hong Kong. However, the teachers may not have covered the topic adequately, even though they may not be purposefully avoiding it. Another teacher said that political news is "unavoidable" in class, because "if you are evasive about the lampooning political photos on the Internet, they will say that you have been 'harmonized'."
Table A1. Which political parties do the people of Hong Kong believe represent and protect their interests? 11%: Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong 11%: Civic Party 9%: Democratic Party 4%: Confederation of Trade Unions 4%: New People Party 3%: Federation of Trade Unions 2%: Liberal Party 2%: League of Social Democrats 2%: People Power 12%: Don't know 40%: None
Table A2. Satisfaction/dissatisfaction with the performance of political parties within the Legislative Council (Very dissatisfied%/dissatisfied%/satisfied%/very satisfied%/don't know%) Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong (16%/31%/34%/3%/16%) Civic Party (11%/24%/40%/4%/21%) Democratic Party (16%/32%33%/2%/17%) Confederation of Trade Unions (10%/24%/43%/2%/21%) New People Party (6%/21%/37%/2%/34%) Federation of Trade Unions (15%/29%/37%/3%/16%) League of Social Democrats (36%/27%/18%/2%/17%) People Power (30%/27%/15%/2%/26%)
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