#WhiterTerror #Censorship
Unions registry demands answers from Hong Kong Journalists Association (#HKJA) over film screenings, book events, social media posts
//Hong Kong’s Registry of Trade Unions (#RTU) has launched a probe into the city’s largest press group, asking them to provide answers how certain events they held were relevant to their objectives.
The list of events included movie screenings and book launches. The association was also asked about social media posts during the anti-extradition bill protests and unrest, and how they were relevant to HKJA’s objectives.
The HKJA was criticised by Secretary for Security Chris Tang in September last year. Tang accused it accused it of “infiltrating” campuses to “rope in” student journalists as members.
The association had since hit back at the criticism, saying that it was “factually wrong,” and that Tang’s suggestion to make public membership information may be a violation of the Privacy Ordinance.//
Read the full article:
https://hongkongfp.com/2022/01/21/unions-registry-demands-answers-from-hong-kong-journalists-assoc-over-film-screenings-book-events-social-media-posts/
Source: Hong Kong Free Press #Jan22
#PressFreedom
Unions registry demands answers from Hong Kong Journalists Association (#HKJA) over film screenings, book events, social media posts
//Hong Kong’s Registry of Trade Unions (#RTU) has launched a probe into the city’s largest press group, asking them to provide answers how certain events they held were relevant to their objectives.
The list of events included movie screenings and book launches. The association was also asked about social media posts during the anti-extradition bill protests and unrest, and how they were relevant to HKJA’s objectives.
The HKJA was criticised by Secretary for Security Chris Tang in September last year. Tang accused it accused it of “infiltrating” campuses to “rope in” student journalists as members.
The association had since hit back at the criticism, saying that it was “factually wrong,” and that Tang’s suggestion to make public membership information may be a violation of the Privacy Ordinance.//
Read the full article:
https://hongkongfp.com/2022/01/21/unions-registry-demands-answers-from-hong-kong-journalists-assoc-over-film-screenings-book-events-social-media-posts/
Source: Hong Kong Free Press #Jan22
#PressFreedom
Hong Kong Free Press HKFP
Unions registry demands answers from Hong Kong Journalists Assoc. over film screenings, book events, social media posts
Hong Kong’s Registry of Trade Unions (RTU) has launched a probe into the city’s largest press group, asking them to provide answers how certain events they held were relevant to their o…
#PressFreedom #Accountability
Now news ‘deeply sorry’ over reporter’s question to HK leader about complaint mechanism for medical staff from China
As the government waived registration requirements for mainland Chinese medics coming to Hong Kong to help treat COVID patients, questions of medical accountability begun to surface. During Carrie Lam's daily pandemic briefing on March 16, a #NowTV reporter asked about the process by which a patient could lodge a complaint, in case of a medical mishap while being treated by a mainland medic.
The question, however, was not well received by the government and the pro-Beijing camp in Hong Kong.
While Carrie Lam stressed a sense of gratitude for China should come first, former chief executive Leung Chun-ying lashed out at the reporter on Facebook, questioning if "her brain had a problem, or her morals had a problem".
Other pro-Beijing groups went on to describe the reporter's question as "unprofessional" and "spreading hate speech."
Politihk Social Strategic, a group of pro-Beijing activists formed to support former CE Leung, claimed that the NowTV reporter had triggered “public anger” with her question.
The group posted photos of the female reporter online, and called for an online petition condemning her conduct as unprofessional and a possible violation of the #NationalSecurityLaw.
Owing to public pressure, the TV station issued a statement of apology on the same day.
“We are deeply sorry that the question about mainland medics at yesterday’s Covid-19 press briefing caused concern and discontent among citizens,” the statement read. “The fifth-wave outbreak is still severe, and we are extremely thankful to the central government and the mainland’s selfless support.”
The Hong Kong Journalists Association (#HKJA) expressed regret for Now TV's apology, as well as concern that such attacks on a journalist's question would exacerbate the self-censorship among editorial staff. The association noted that a similar question was posed by pro-Beijing LegCo member Tang Fei on March 15, the day before the press conference.
The association stressed the journalistic value of posing these questions at press conferences, as it gives officials an opportunity to explain their policies to the public. Furthermore, the question received informative replies, showing that government officials also recognized the question's value. The association hopes that the public could better understand the workings of journalism, and would view the work of reporters without political preconceptions.
#WuhanPneumonia #RuleByFear #GratitudeEducation
Source: Inmediahk; #Mar17
https://bit.ly/3IiqAh0
Now news ‘deeply sorry’ over reporter’s question to HK leader about complaint mechanism for medical staff from China
As the government waived registration requirements for mainland Chinese medics coming to Hong Kong to help treat COVID patients, questions of medical accountability begun to surface. During Carrie Lam's daily pandemic briefing on March 16, a #NowTV reporter asked about the process by which a patient could lodge a complaint, in case of a medical mishap while being treated by a mainland medic.
The question, however, was not well received by the government and the pro-Beijing camp in Hong Kong.
While Carrie Lam stressed a sense of gratitude for China should come first, former chief executive Leung Chun-ying lashed out at the reporter on Facebook, questioning if "her brain had a problem, or her morals had a problem".
Other pro-Beijing groups went on to describe the reporter's question as "unprofessional" and "spreading hate speech."
Politihk Social Strategic, a group of pro-Beijing activists formed to support former CE Leung, claimed that the NowTV reporter had triggered “public anger” with her question.
The group posted photos of the female reporter online, and called for an online petition condemning her conduct as unprofessional and a possible violation of the #NationalSecurityLaw.
Owing to public pressure, the TV station issued a statement of apology on the same day.
“We are deeply sorry that the question about mainland medics at yesterday’s Covid-19 press briefing caused concern and discontent among citizens,” the statement read. “The fifth-wave outbreak is still severe, and we are extremely thankful to the central government and the mainland’s selfless support.”
The Hong Kong Journalists Association (#HKJA) expressed regret for Now TV's apology, as well as concern that such attacks on a journalist's question would exacerbate the self-censorship among editorial staff. The association noted that a similar question was posed by pro-Beijing LegCo member Tang Fei on March 15, the day before the press conference.
The association stressed the journalistic value of posing these questions at press conferences, as it gives officials an opportunity to explain their policies to the public. Furthermore, the question received informative replies, showing that government officials also recognized the question's value. The association hopes that the public could better understand the workings of journalism, and would view the work of reporters without political preconceptions.
#WuhanPneumonia #RuleByFear #GratitudeEducation
Source: Inmediahk; #Mar17
https://bit.ly/3IiqAh0
#FirstHand #Sept7
Police Arrests Hong Kong Journalists Association's Chair
On September 7, 2022, veteran journalist and chairman of Hong Kong Journalists Association (#HKJA) #RonsonChan was arrested in Hong Kong for "obstructing police officers and disorder in public place".
It was reported that Chan and a photographer were on their way to a press briefing in Mong Kok, where they were intercepted by two plainclothes police officers for no apparent reason.
As Chan asked the officers for
police ID, they refused and accused Chan of being not cooperative. Within minutes, he was warned for multiple times and arrested.
Before mid-night, Chan was released on bail after being held at the Mong Kok police station for about 11 hours.
In an interview with local press, Chan told reporters that one of the police officers scoffed at him, "HKJA is trash". Later, he also taunted that "when will you die?"
Chan recited that his wrist was being forcefully held together, leaving a visible bruise mark.
Source: #FirstHand #Sept7
#PoliceState #Journalism #PressFreedom
Police Arrests Hong Kong Journalists Association's Chair
On September 7, 2022, veteran journalist and chairman of Hong Kong Journalists Association (#HKJA) #RonsonChan was arrested in Hong Kong for "obstructing police officers and disorder in public place".
It was reported that Chan and a photographer were on their way to a press briefing in Mong Kok, where they were intercepted by two plainclothes police officers for no apparent reason.
As Chan asked the officers for
police ID, they refused and accused Chan of being not cooperative. Within minutes, he was warned for multiple times and arrested.
Before mid-night, Chan was released on bail after being held at the Mong Kok police station for about 11 hours.
In an interview with local press, Chan told reporters that one of the police officers scoffed at him, "HKJA is trash". Later, he also taunted that "when will you die?"
Chan recited that his wrist was being forcefully held together, leaving a visible bruise mark.
Source: #FirstHand #Sept7
#PoliceState #Journalism #PressFreedom
Head of Hong Kong journalist group Ronson Chan charged with obstructing police officers during reporting
Ronson Chan, the chairperson of the city’s largest journalist group the Hong Kong Journalists Association (#HKJA), has been officially charged with obstructing police officers while reporting.
Speaking to reporters outside Mong Kok Police Station on Monday, the former Stand News reporter said that he had received a call from the force earlier in the day notifying him that he would be officially charged.
Chan said the charge would bring certain “disturbances and difficulties” for his planned departure to the UK on Wednesday to pursue a six-month fellowship programme at the Reuters Institute at Oxford University.
“Fortunately, the Oxford side says they will support me and they will see what will happen,” Chan said, adding that he will respect whatever decision the magistrate makes.
“If… I lost this chance, I will not [have] regret.” Chan added.
HKFP has reached out to the Reuters Institute for comment.
When HKFP asked what he thought the incident said about the status of press freedom in Hong Kong, Chan said “even in Beijing’s streets, you will never experience any charges for asking a policeman which unit he comes from or him to show his warrant card etc.”
“You can imagine how the environment Hong Kong reporters and journalists facing is – it’s not a very easy environment.” Chan added.
source: Hong Kong Free Press #Sep19
photo: #firsthand
full article: https://hongkongfp.com/2022/09/19/head-of-hong-kong-journalist-group-ronson-chan-charged-with-obstructing-police-officers-during-reporting/
#RonsonChan #PressFreedom
Ronson Chan, the chairperson of the city’s largest journalist group the Hong Kong Journalists Association (#HKJA), has been officially charged with obstructing police officers while reporting.
Speaking to reporters outside Mong Kok Police Station on Monday, the former Stand News reporter said that he had received a call from the force earlier in the day notifying him that he would be officially charged.
Chan said the charge would bring certain “disturbances and difficulties” for his planned departure to the UK on Wednesday to pursue a six-month fellowship programme at the Reuters Institute at Oxford University.
“Fortunately, the Oxford side says they will support me and they will see what will happen,” Chan said, adding that he will respect whatever decision the magistrate makes.
“If… I lost this chance, I will not [have] regret.” Chan added.
HKFP has reached out to the Reuters Institute for comment.
When HKFP asked what he thought the incident said about the status of press freedom in Hong Kong, Chan said “even in Beijing’s streets, you will never experience any charges for asking a policeman which unit he comes from or him to show his warrant card etc.”
“You can imagine how the environment Hong Kong reporters and journalists facing is – it’s not a very easy environment.” Chan added.
source: Hong Kong Free Press #Sep19
photo: #firsthand
full article: https://hongkongfp.com/2022/09/19/head-of-hong-kong-journalist-group-ronson-chan-charged-with-obstructing-police-officers-during-reporting/
#RonsonChan #PressFreedom
Hong Kong Free Press HKFP
Head of Hong Kong journalist group Ronson Chan charged with obstructing police officers during reporting
Ronson Chan, the chairperson of the city’s largest journalist group the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA), has been officially charged with obstructing police officers while reporting. Speaking to reporters outside Mong Kok Police Station on Monday…