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#HKNEA
HK News Executives' Association Expresses No Objection and Asks Police to Provide Details of the Media Registration System

Formed by a group of senior management representatives in the media industry, the Hong Kong News Executives' Association (#NEA) expressed "strong concern" over the Police’s unilateral amendment of the definition of “media representatives” in the Police General Orders.

The police's amendment will limit media representatives to only those registered in the Government News & Media Information System (#GNMIS), or those holding identity proof issued by the "renown and recognised non-local press agencies, newspapers, magazines, TV stations and radio stations", according to the police's letter issued on September 22, 2020.

Over 48 online news outlets and 8 press unions, including Hong Kong Journalists Association (#HKJA) and Hong Kong Press Photographers Association (#HKPPA) had issued joint statements and demanded the withdrawal of the amendment.

However, the News Executives Association asked the Hong Kong Police Force to provide details of the new registration system in order to ease media concern, although it also stated that press freedom should not be curbed.

[Editor’s note:

Established in 1986, the Hong Kong News Executives' Association (http://www.nea.org.hk/eng/html) was formed by news executives of Hong Kong's major media organizations, including chief editors, deputy chief editors, news editors and deputy news editors.

The Association's incumbent chairlady is Cheung Sou-wen, who is Deputy Director of the News and Public Affairs Division of the Commercial Radio. Tammy Tam Wai-yee, Editor-in-Chief of South China Morning Post is the Association's vice-chair.

Claiming a membership of 100 media executives, the Association wrote on its website its mandate to "safeguard and promote freedom of the press" among others.]

Source: Stand News #Sept22
#PoliceState #PressFreedom #License

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Joint Statement by Over 48 Online News Outlets, Sept 22, 2020: "We Will Keep Reporting: A Petition Against Police-determined Media Whitelists"

https://www.facebook.com/2406628919558580/posts/2793962724158529/

8 Press Associations and Unions in Hong Kong Call On HK Police to Withdraw Unilateral Revision of "Media Representative"

https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/25450
#JointStatement #PressFreedom
Student Reporters Group denounces Police’s attempt to re-define “Media Representatives”, calling it a decoy to licensing regime on journalists

Responding to the Police’s attempt to re-define “Media Representatives” in Police General Orders, refusing to recognize accreditation from Hong Kong Journalists Association (#HKJA) and Hong Kong Press Photographers Association (#HKPPA), 5 student press groups of local universities and institutions, joining over 48 online news outlets and 8 press unions, also denounced the Police’s unilateral revision of definition.

The group of student reporters pointed out in their statement that the revision is a decoy to licensing regime on journalists, which is meant to encroach, in particularly, the rights of web-based media, civil journalists and school press to report, depriving their freedom of speech.

Source: RTHK #Sept23

======
Joint Statement by Over 48 Online News Outlets, Sept 22, 2020: "We Will Keep Reporting: A Petition Against Police-determined Media Whitelists"
https://www.facebook.com/2406628919558580/posts/2793962724158529/

8 Press Associations and Unions in Hong Kong Call On HK Police to Withdraw Unilateral Revision of "Media Representative"
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/25450
#Statement #PressFreedom
Hong Kong Jounalists and Press Unions might Take Legal Action in a bid to Safeguard Press Freedom

Journalists, media groups and unions in Hong Kong have voiced opposition to HK Police’s unilateral redefinition of “Media Representative” in Police General Orders.

In a press conference held on September 24, 2020, eight media unions called on all media organizations to stand in solidarity against the police's latest act. They pointed out that it is evident that the police is treating the media as their enemy.

The vice-chairman of Hong Kong Journalists' Association (#HKJA) Ronson Chan said that the Association was currently seeking legal opinions and might submit a judicial review.

The Association condemned the police for misleading the public over the 'benefits' of the amendment. Chan emphasized that the change of definition would restrict news reporting in all areas, cordoned or not.

The Association also rejected the police’s accusation of “fake journalists” which has no factual backup.

The HKJA Chairman Chris Yeung expressed worries over the police's treatment of the press. Yeung challenged he police's subjective claim of assisting the reporters when their operation efficiency is not undermined.

The HKJA raised 3 demands:

1. The police must immediately withdraw the amendment; otherwise, the Association would seek solution via possible legal actions.

2. The police shall stop imposing restrictions on media arrangements by setting up interview areas and cordoned areas.

3. It is hoped that the police will respect press freedom and the right of media as it has openly pledged.

Civil Rights Watch also issued a statement expressing grave concern over the police's violation of press freedom guaranteed by the Basic Law and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The Watch pointed out that police’s act will create “unreasonable obstacles to front-line journalists”, undermining personal safety and legal rights of the press.

Source: Apple Daily; RTHK #Sept24
https://hk.appledaily.com/local/20200924/PHQEAFUSFFGHTNPZ577DELK46U/


Related News
==================
International Federation of Journalists Condemn Hong Kong Authorities For Imposing State Control Over Journalists
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/25484

Joint Statement by Over 48 Online News Outlets, Sept 22, 2020: "We Will Keep Reporting: A Petition Against Police-determined Media Whitelists"
https://www.facebook.com/2406628919558580/posts/2793962724158529/

Journalism Schools and Student Reporters Groups Denounce Police’s attempt to Re-define “Media Representatives”
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/25470

8 Press Associations and Unions in Hong Kong Call On HK Police to Withdraw Unilateral Revision of "Media Representative"
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/25450
#PressFreedom
HKJA Sends Observer to Inspect Police's Treatment towards Press

1430 | #CausewayBay #CWB
Today, the Hong Kong Journalists Association (#HKJA) sent Bruce Lui, Senior Lecturer of the Hong Kong Baptist University and independent columnist, as observer to inspect and record whether journalists would receive more unfair treatment after the shift in General Orders.

Bruce Lui told the press that as no large crashes had happened so far, he was not able to observe how the police treat the press. He pointed out HKJA will also take note of whether the police had provided adequate space for interviews. He also mentioned he would notice the safety of student journalists from HKBU reporting the scene. “But after the change in general orders, student reporters may have to bear legal consequences, including being charged with unlawful assembly or the gathering ban.” He castigated the police, "this is not reasonable.”

Source: InMedia #Oct1
#PoliceState #WhiteTerror #Journalism #BruceLui
#PressFreedom #RTHK
Arrested News Docu Producer Reminds Journalists: Carry on what we ought to do

On Nov 3, 2020, the Hong Kong police arrested Bao Choy, a RTHK producer who took part in investigative reports about police brutality and misconduct.

The police accused Choy of making a false declaration while conducting licence plate searches of vehicles allegedly connected to the white-clad gangsters involved in the mob attack in Yuen Long on July 21, 219.

The Hong Kong Journalists Association (#HKJA) comdemned the authorities for "exhausting every possible way to suppress" media workers who try to uncover the truth.

RTHK's director of broadcast Leung Ka-shu, who has been attacked by Beijing loyalists, expressed concern over the grave impact on RTHK staff and its consequence.

The chairman of HKJA, Chris Yeung, also pointed out that “the immediate question is whether reporters will still be comfortable to do regular vehicle licence checks, as they have been for years, because there is now a risk they may face charges”.

On the evening of Nov 3, 2020, Choy on bail met with the press outside Taipo Police Station. She thanked fellow media workers for their concern and hopes journalists in Hong Kong could stay unswayed and uphold professionalism. "Carry on what we ought to do," said Choy.

Source: Apple Daily; InMedia; RTHK #Nov3
https://bit.ly/2JzbGdB

#Arrest #WhiteTerror #BaoChoy #Journalism #HongKongConnection

=====
Police Arrests Journalist of News Programme Addressing Police-Triad Alleged Collusion during Yuen Long 7.21 Triad Attack

https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/26379
#MediaFreedom
Hong Kong Police arrest #RTHK producer Bao Choy, #HKJA: 'Police is picking on media'

Source: InMedia #Nov5

Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
#MediaFreedom
Hong Kong Police arrest #RTHK producer Bao Choy, #HKJA: 'Police is picking on media'

Hong Kong police arrested the producer of the RTHK programme 'Hong Kong Connection', Bao Choy Yuk-ling, on Nov 3, 2020.

Hong Kong's major media unions including the RTHK Programme Staff Union criticized the police's unreasonable attack on the freedom of press at a joint press conference held on two days later on Nov 5, 2020.

Chiu Sin-yan, the chairwoman of the RTHK Programme Staff Union said that they had been discussing the arrest with the RTHK management and urged the management to offer assistance to Choy. Chiu added that RTHK would continue with its investigative reporting, stick to the common practice of using public records in their investigations, and uphold press freedom, as the case had not been closed.

Yeung Kin-hing, chairperson of the Hong Kong Journalist Association (HKJA) said that police was picking on media in Hong Kong, and HKJA was seeking legal advice about the arrest. He then challenged that if government still regards press freedom and public's right to know as parts of public interest. He added that the small-scale and online news media could not afford any lawsuits, and slammed government for 'this ludicrous attack on journalists'.

Hui Fong-man, the chairperson of the Ming Pao Staff Association stressed that using the public records was a common practice in investigating the interest-based relationship and identities. The government's outlawing of this routine practice without any consultation with the media industry amounts to 'setting a trap for the journalists' , as how the boundary line is drawn is unknown.

Lam Ching-kit, the representative of the Journalism Educators for Press Freedom, and senior lecturer of Journalism and Communication Department of Chu Hai College said that checking public records had always been a legitimate fact-checking exercise, which also provides information for analysis in journalism students' reports. Journalism education will be affected by this arrest, as teachers cannot ask students to bear such risk, related reports and investigations will be thereby delayed.

Source: InMedia#Nov5
https://bit.ly/3mT057t

#pressfreedom #RTHKarrest
#Breaking #PressFreedom
Police Requires Name Registration in Protest, Government's Chief Secretary Rejects HKJA's Application Entirely

Hongkongers were once again disappointed by the Hong Kong SAR Government, after the Chief Secretary rejected a protest application filed by the Hong Kong Journalists Association (#HKJA).

This protest decrying the erosion of press freedom was planned to take place on Hong Kong island on Sunday, November 15, 2020. The organizers hope to use this protest to show discontent toward the authorities' arrest and prosecution of #RTHK producer Choy Yuk-ling (#BaoChoy).

The police originally banned the protest, but the Appeal Board ruled in favour of the HKJA on Nov 13. However, the police imposed a name registration system and limited the participants to 1,000 media workers, journalism students and faculty at higher education institutes. The police required all protesters to register their names, in addition to wearing a mask and filling out a health declaration form. The authorities will take photos to monitor participants and their compliance with social distancing measures.

If the Chief Secretary Matthew Cheung would have given a green light, the Sunday's rally would probably be the first protest since a very long time in Hong Kong. In any case, the police's request of a 'black-and-white' name registration has revealed their intent to create new 'rules' to tighten control.

After the Appeal Board announced the decision on the afternoon of Nov 13, HKJA vice-chairman Ronson Chan said he was hopeful towards a positive response from Cheung, as he doesn't think the Chief Secretary would "evade his responsibility".

However, after midnight on November 14, the HKJA released an update that the Chief Secretary has rejected their protest application.

The Hong Kong SAR government has banned protests and rallies for months, including the annual June 4 Tiananmen massacre vigil in Victoria Park and the annual July 1 rally organised by the Civic Human Rights Front, citing the coronavirus pandemic as a reason.

Source: InMedia; PSHK; RTHK #Nov13
https://bit.ly/3niDDoA
#PressFreedom #WhiteTerror
Television documentary leading to HK journalist’s arrest shortlisted for Asian Television Awards

On November 3, 2020, Hong Kong Police arrested RTHK journalist Choy Yuk-ling (a.k.a. #BaoChoy) for violating the Road Traffic Ordinance, concerning searches done at an openly accessible Transport Department database on car owner information. The searches were carried out for a television documentary about an alleged police-mobster collusion in July 2019.

The television documentary, titled "7.21 Who Owns the Truth", showed white-clad mobsters carrying weapons gathered in Yuen Long town area before attacking passengers of West Rail train at Yuen Long Station. Police officers sighted at neighbouring scenes failed to intervene and showed friendly gestures towards them.

A day after Bao Choy was arrested, the said television documentary she produced was reportedly shortlisted for the 25th Asian Television Awards, a substantial recognition of Choy's professionalism.

[Editor’s Notes
The Asia Television Awards, held since 1996, are the most prominent and recognised events in the Asian television industry, with a judging panel of more than 60 professionals from different regions.]

Source: Cupid News #Nov4 https://www.facebook.com/117540932243292/posts/680432435954136/?d=n

======
Related articles

Hong Kong Police arrest #RTHK producer Bao Choy, #HKJA: 'Police is picking on media'
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/26518

Arrested News Docu Producer Reminds Journalists: Carry on what we ought to do
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/26384

Police Arrests Journalist of News Programme Addressing Police-Triad Alleged Collusion during Yuen Long 7.21 Triad Attack
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/26378

#YuenLong721 #Professionalism #PoliceState #PoliticalPersecution #ChoyYukLing #HongKongConnection #AwardWinning #AsiaTelevisionAwards
#PressFreedom #RightoKnow
Journalist Unions Condemn HK Government for Limiting the Right to Know, As Press Briefing Goes Online Without Consultation

On Jan 3, 2021, the Hong Kong government's Department of Health suddenly announced that, in order to "reduce risk of spreading the coronavirus", the daily COVID press briefing will be held as a live broadcast beginning on Jan 4, 2021. All questions by the press would only be accepted in written format.

The Hong Kong Journalists Association and 8 other press unions issued a statement later that evening, criticizing the government's intention to filter and avoid sensitive questions and infringe the journalists’ right to raise further questions and the public’s right to know.

The journalists' associations also demanded the government to revert the decision and hold the press briefing as the way it used to be.

In the statement, the Hong Kong Journalists Association (#HKJA) together with other unions that represented Stand News, RTHK, hkCNews, Next Digital, Mingpao, the Independent Commentators Association, and the Hong Kong Press Photographers Association criticised the government's unreasonable and sudden decision before consulting the press.

They worried that sensitive questions would be filtered and avoided from now on, further eroding the freedom of the press in Hong Kong.

Source: Stand News #Jan3

#FailedState #Coronavirus #PressBriefing #Whitewash
#Crackdown #Regime
Fighting Against #PoliticalSuppression: #AppleDaily Vows to Uphold Integrity and Defend Freedom

On May 14, 2021, the Hong Kong authorities cited Article 34 of the #NationalSecurityLaw for the first time and froze the personal assets of pro-democracy media tycoon #JimmyLai, who is currently jailed.

The Hong Kong Journalists' Association (#HKJA) decried the blatant threat imposed by the Hong Kong government to press freedom and the media industry.

Read more:
https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/29682

Veteran journalist #BruceLui, who is a senior lecturer in #journalism at Hong Kong Baptist University, pointed out that the goverment is likely to increase the intensity of the crackdown before July 1, 2021, the establishment day of the Hong Kong SAR.

Source: Apple Daily #May14
https://bit.ly/3ogugHA

#NeverGiveUp
#PoliceState #PoliticalProsecution
HK Police Arrests More #AppleDaily Editors

On the evening of June 27, 2021, Hong Kong Police arrested one more editor who used to write in the pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily.

#FungWaiKong, aged 57, was the editor-in-chief of the English news of Apple Daily and a columnist for the Chinese-language edition under thd pen name Lo Fung.

The police accused of him "conspiring to collude with foreign countries or foreign forces to endanger national security". The arrest was made at the airport.

Fung Wai-kong is the seventh employee of the now-closed Apple Daily who was arrested under #NationalSecurityLaw. The founder #JimmyLai, a pro-democracy media tycoon, has been jailed since Janurary 2021.

The 26-year-old Apple Daily was forced to shut down on June 23, 2021 after the police raided the headquarters, arrested 3 editors and 2 executives, and froze the key assets and bank accounts of the newspaper. On the day when the last edition was announced, police arrested one more new commentator.

The Hong Kong Journalists' Association (#HKJA) condemned the police for targeting journalists.

Source: Stand News #Jun27
https://bit.ly/2SAUrgY

#Journalism #PressFreedom #SupportAppleDaily #PoliticalPrisoner

===
Related news:

Hongkongers Stay Up Overnight to Buy Apple Daily for One Last Time

https://t.me/guardiansofhongkong/30233
#Breaking
Breaking: Hong Kong Journalists Association deeply concerned that National Security Department detained a journalist and withheld travel documents to assist in investigation

On July 27, 2021, the Hong Kong Journalists Association (#HKJA) released a statement, condemning the National Security Police for confiscating the travel document of a reporter, who is assisting the police in investigation.

The case involved a man called #LeungKinFai who died after stabbing himself and knifing a policeman in Causeway Bay on July 1, 2021.

#PressFreedom

Source: Hong Kong Journalists Association #Jul27

Read more
⬇️⬇️⬇️
#WhiteTerror #PressFreedom
Commissioner of Police accused #HKJA of spreading wrong ideology; HKJA refuted

Commissioner of Police, Raymond Siu Chak-yee, accused Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) of advocating the notion of “everyone is a journalist” and “selectively deaf” to media with opposite positions being attacked. His rebuke was similar to that of the Secretary for Security, Chris Tang Ping-keung, which HKJA had made a declaration and held a press conference to deny all these allegations.

HKJA issued another statement today (Sept 18), stating their chairman had responded and reaffirmed that “completely nonsensical speech” would never become the truth, no matter how many times they were repeated. Also, they listed their other old statements, which supported “Wen Wei Po” and “Ta Kung Pao”, to refute Raymond Siu’s accusation.

Source: Stand News #Sept18
#PoliceState