Editorial | Police cross line with rules on just what is legitimate reporting
- Screening out of ‘fake journalists’ by Hong Kong force should not come at the expense of press freedom and those just doing their job in the digital era
Coming after the enactment of the controversial national security law, they also raise serious concerns over press freedom and add to the perception of the city losing more safeguards.
A legal battle looms if an industry outcry falls on deaf ears. It is regrettable that such a major change came into effect without adequate consultation with the industry.
Starting from yesterday, police now only recognise media representatives registered with the Information Services Department and those from “internationally recognised and well-known” non-local news agencies, newspapers, magazines, radio and TV stations.
It means police events and some protest scenes may now be off limits to unregistered online news outlets, student journalists, freelancers and individuals.
However, this time the force has gone down the slippery slope of redefining a journalist, something even industry practitioners and academics would find difficult amid a fast-changing media landscape.