The Electoral Affairs Commission censured the HK Commercial Daily for carrying an article that featured only one of two candidates contesting the Shun Tin Constituency, Kwun Tong, in the run-up to the District Council Election last November.

The newspaper was found to have breached the "no unfair advantage" rule because the article in question, published on October 28, 2003, carried one candidate's criticism of the other, without approaching the slighted candidate for a response or clarification.

The commission had asked the newspaper to submit a response in writing before it considered whether a public censure should be issued. However, the newspaper declined to offer an explanation.

The commission said the article contravened Chapter 10, Paragraph 14 of the electoral guidelines for District Council Elections which points out that the media should not offer an unfair advantage to any candidate, and that candidates should not accept unfair advantages offered to them.

It also appeals to the print media to provide fair and equal treatment for all candidates of the same constituency.