{
  "id": 2053207,
  "title": "True friends stab you in the front? The importance of debate in today’s world",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/true-friends-stab-you-in-the-front-the-importance-of-debate-in-todays-2053207",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-20T01:30:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3364609/true-friends-stab-you-front-importance-debate-todays-world"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "\"True friends stab you in the front?\" - This popular misquote is most likely attributed to Oscar Wilde, but in his work The Devoted Friend, he wrote, \"But what is the good of friendship if one cannot say exactly what one means? Anybody can say charming things and try to please and to flatter, but a true friend always says unpleasant things, and does not mind giving pain.\" This sentiment encapsulates the purpose of Legal Tales, the publication's 70th and final column.\n\nThroughout its 70 columns, the column has aimed to explain the legal system simply and address matters of public interest, particularly those concerning legal rights and the administration of justice. These duties are inherent in the self-employed nature of barristers, who operate without a firm or partners. The Bar is a self-regulated profession, subject only to court supervision and tradition as a \"trade union.\"\n\nThe Bar sees itself as crucial in defending the rule of law, judicial independence, and fundamental rights, all protected under Hong Kong's Basic Law and \"one country, two systems\" model. While the judiciary safeguards individual rights, it often remains silent. This task falls to the secretary for justice and the legal profession, including barristers.\n\nIn today's world, confidence in the judiciary is waning in many jurisdictions due to reasons like politicization of judicial appointments or removal of judges for political or selfish reasons. Hong Kong fares better in this regard, as judges are appointed based on judicial and professional qualities, and no judge has been removed for political or irrelevant reasons. However, the increasing polarization of political or ideological views in societies, including Hong Kong, means that court decisions are often viewed through a simplistic lens of whether one likes the outcome. This hinders constructive debate and the appreciation of why courts make specific decisions.\n\nThe weekly column strives to enhance public understanding of the legal system and complex issues, moving beyond simplistic views. It encourages debates and conversations about the law, emphasizing the beauty of a free society that fosters a competition of ideas through discourse. The views expressed by the columnists are their own, aimed at enriching this debate and contributing to Hong Kong's public interest.\n\nThe barrister columnists are not agents of the Hong Kong Bar Association, and the column represents their personal perspectives. They express gratitude to the South China Morning Post for the opportunity to write and for its commitment to timely delivery. They also appreciate the readers' interest and comments, which inspire further contributions. Jose-Antonio Maurellet SC serves as the current chairman of the Hong Kong Bar Association and a commercial litigator.",
  "summary": "“True friends stab you in the front?” This is a quote most likely to be misattributed to Oscar Wilde. What he wrote instead in The Devoted Friend was: “But what is the good of friendship if one cannot say exactly what one means? Anybody can say charming things and try to please and to flatter, but a true friend always says unpleasant things, and does not mind giving pain.” This is Legal Tales’…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post - Hong Kong",
        "title": "True friends stab you in the front? The importance of debate in today’s world",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/true-friends-stab-you-in-the-front-the-importance-of-debate-in-todays",
        "published": "2026-08-20T01:30:15.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}