Will relaxed rules for Hong Kong’s online media usher in digital age?
Industry welcomes ‘long overdue decision’ to let digital news outlets cover official events, but some are still sceptical of terms for eligibility
Digital media outlets in Hong Kong would be allowed to cover official events and receive press releases or invitations under relaxed rules, the government said yesterday.
The ombudsman last year urged the government to review its policy on online media.
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“The mechanism aims to ensure the professionalism of outlets covering and reporting on government news,” Lam said before an Executive Council meeting.
She had requested senior officials to extend the duration of press conferences to take more questions from journalists.
Online media listed under the Registration of Local Newspapers Ordinance may now apply to the Information Services Department to receive press releases and media invitations.
But Wong Yeung-tat, founder of Passion Times. an online news outlet which previously faced rejections to cover government events, said authorities failed to specify ineligible conditions.