The 16th Consumer Rights Reporting Awards drew a total of 231 entries from the print and electronic media this year. These topics, many of which aroused great concern in the community and prompted regulatory authorities to review related laws and policies, included unlicensed Mainland practitioners conducting illegal “medical beauty” treatments; nursing home residents were stripped naked and exposed to public view on a terrace when waiting for their turn to be showered; as well as the lead-in-drinking-water crisis. All of these winning entries highlighted the important role played by the media in safeguarding the rights of consumers.
Among the entries, 136 came from the print media, 35 from the electronic media (including 23 from TV and 12 from radio), 40 news photographs, while the remaining 20 were entries from tertiary education institutions. In view of the global concerns over environmental pollution and resource depletion, developing a sustainable consumption environment has become increasingly important. This year, a new category, “Sustainable Consumption Awards”, was introduced to encourage the media to educate the public on the subject and sow the seeds of sustainability in consumers’ minds.
Mr. Gregory SO Kam-leung, GBS, JP, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development; and Professor Wong Yuk-shan, BBS, JP, Chairman of the Consumer Council officiated at the ceremony. Together, they presented a total of 24 awards comprising Gold, Silver and Bronze in 8 categories, 1 merit certificate and 3 Sustainable Consumption Awards to the attending winners.
In his opening address, Professor WONG Yuk-shan, BBS, JP, highly commended the professionalism demonstrated by the local media and their commitment to searching truth. Their hard work has enabled the public to deepen and broaden their perspectives on consumer rights and their understanding in related information for our city.
Mr. Gregory SO Kam-leung, GBS, JP, said, “Apart from helping consumers make their decisions, the consumer related news covered by Media can also inspire the Government’s work.” Mr. So expressed special thanks to the media for their extensive coverage on the Government’s regulatory measures designed for various industries, as well as their reporting on “Trade Descriptions Ordinance” and the “Competition Ordinance”, which have facilitated consumer awareness and encouraged greater vigilance.
Sustainable Consumption Awards
The winner in “Newspaper & Magazine entry” was a series of three stories featuring food waste reduction programmes conducted by various organisations. These stories allowed readers to learn how to make better use of natural resources and to treasure foods.
The top “Campus entry” deliberated on the difficulties in promoting electric vehicles in Hong Kong which prompted the readers’ reflection on the importance of Government’s leadership in the development of sustainable consumption.
The winning “Press Photo” depicted a young woman, wearing only her undergarments, stood in front of a luxury boutique in freezing winter day with a banner in her hand that said "Shop Vegan". Her campaign aimed to safeguard animal welfare and protest against the boutique who produced crocodile skin accessories that involved animal cruelty.
Print Media
Same as last year, the awards were vigorously contested, particularly in the print media where 79 News and 57 Feature entries vied for honors.
In a series of three reports, the “News entry” winner unveiled an unlicensed mainland “black market doctor” performing cosmetic injection procedures in Hong Kong. The report aroused regulatory concerns and arrested the alleged bodies after investigation. It further reinforced media’s vital role in public surveillance.
The top “Features entry” was also a series of three stories. The report revealed a nursing home left highly-dependent elderly residents under its care naked and exposed to public view on a terrace when waiting for their turn to be bathed. The incident completely disregarded the elderly’s human rights and privacy and was highly disapproved by the community. The report not only caused the Social Welfare Department to withdraw the said nursing home’s licence, but also raised public concern in safeguarding the dignity of the elderly.
Electronic Media
The Gold Award winner for “TV News” uncovered that the contactless credit cards issued by some banks involved personal data leakage. The coverage successfully raised consumer concerns in personal data protection and drove the banks involved to offer card replacement to rectify the situation. The Gold Award winner of “TV Features” tracked down the loopholes in chilled poultry delivery and the intensifying illegal gas station issues, calling the Government to step up their review of the existing regulatory regime.
The winning entry of “Radio News” analysed the source of lead in drinking water and scrutinised each problematic process during water hose assembly. For “Radio Features”, the winning report studied the insufficient consumer protection coverage of the amended Trade Descriptions Ordinance which was highly linked with the daily lives of consumers.
Photography
The winning photo captured graphically a flock of smartphone buyers closing in on a speculator on the launch day of a new smartphone model.
Campus Newspaper
The Gold Award entry presented stories of three seniors who revealed the inconvenience bought to local residents when their housing estate wet markets were transformed into shopping malls by Link REIT.
The Awards, organised by the Consumer Council in association with the Hong Kong Journalists Association and the Hong Kong Press Photographers Association, has grown in scale and authority for recognition of journalistic professionalism and excellence.
An 11-member panel of distinguished judges drawn from the participating professional organisations and the academia in journalism as well as the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Council was given the arduous task of adjudication.