A journalists' group yesterday voiced concern over a court ruling on the ICAC raids on the Sing Tao offices and a journalist's home.
The Court of Appeal vindicated the raids while dismissing the anti-graft body's appeal against a High Court ruling setting aside the search warrants.
The Hong Kong Journalists Association said it was concerned over the 'serious implication' on press freedom of the court's decision.
It believed the judgment had reinforced the authorities' power to search and seize journalistic materials.
It called for a review of sections 83 to 85 of the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance, saying it granted broad powers to law enforcement agencies.
Mak Yin-ting, the association's honorary secretary, said the Court of Appeal's judgment effectively reinforced a lax ordinance by rejecting Mr Justice Michael Hartmann's previous ruling, where he set aside the search warrants.
Although it dismissed the ICAC appeal, the court said if it possessed the powers, it would have set aside Mr Justice Hartmann's order.
