LEADER: HK needs to enshrine freedoms in bill

Hong Kong's national security bill, published last week, remains a cause for concern to the public and the business community at large, not simply media groups. Despite assurances made before the gazetting of this very significant piece of legislation, the language of the bill remains vague; critics insist deliberately so. This has naturally raised the spectre of possible abuse since the bill does not contain an explicit assurance on freedoms of speech, of the press , of demonstration and assembly.