{
  "id": 8848881,
  "title": "‘Cantonese is strictly forbidden’: Hong Kong school principal apologises after unapproved language ban sparks outrage",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/cantonese-is-strictly-forbidden-hong-kong-school-principal-apologises",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-21T05:23:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hong Kong Free Press",
    "slug": "hong-kong-free-press",
    "url": "https://hongkongfp.com/2026/09/21/cantonese-is-strictly-forbidden-hong-kong-school-principal-apologises-after-unapproved-language-ban-sparks-outrage/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A prestigious Hong Kong girls’ school, Good Hope School, faced public outrage after a leaked production guideline revealed that Cantonese was \"strictly forbidden\" in a graduation video. The guideline, which prohibited the use of Cantonese in speaking, dialogue, and voiceovers, was circulated on social media platform Threads, causing significant concern among students and parents. In response, the school's principal, Gary Harfitt, issued an apology and clarified that the guideline was issued in error and did not reflect the school's actual policy or its stance on the use of Cantonese. Harfitt stated that the guideline was issued before it could be revised and that it never intended to ban Cantonese at the school. He expressed his regret for the inappropriate language in the guideline and emphasized that the school's graduation ceremony would remain true to the principles and values of Good Hope School. The Education Bureau also responded to the incident, urging the school to review its event arrangements and maintain effective communication with stakeholders.",
  "summary": "A prestigious Hong Kong girls’ school has faced backlash after a leaked production guideline stating that Cantonese was “forbidden” in a graduation video was circulated online, prompting its principal to clarify that the language was not banned at the school. In an email to students and parents, Good Hope School’s principal Gary Harfitt apologised and […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
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        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/20/barristers-dismiss-calls-for-solicitors-to-gain-senior-counsel-status",
        "published": "2026-09-20T23:00:13.000Z"
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        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/soft-resistance-is-the-most-malicious-threat-to-nat-security-in-hong",
        "published": "2026-09-21T04:21:53.000Z"
      },
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        "outlet": "Japan Times",
        "title": "F-35 parts diversion to Hong Kong under probe in U.S. Congress",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/f-35-parts-diversion-to-hong-kong-under-probe-in-u-s-congress",
        "published": "2026-09-21T05:34:00.000Z"
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      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "14 Malaysians held in Hong Kong over suspected drug smuggling",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/14-malaysians-held-in-hong-kong-over-suspected-drug-smuggling",
        "published": "2026-09-21T06:10:07.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}