Court dismisses government bid to ban protest song ‘Glory to Hong Kong’, questions effectiveness of move
- Ban may not compel internet search giant Google and other technology firms to take down tune, High Court suggests
- Chief Executive John Lee says he has asked Department of Justice to consider follow-up actions as soon as possible
A Hong Kong court has dismissed the justice secretary’s request to ban the promotion of a protest song popular during the 2019 anti-government unrest, questioning the effectiveness of the move.
In blocking the injunction bid, the High Court on Friday said the publication and distribution of “Glory to Hong Kong” was already punishable under existing laws, adding a ban might not compel internet search giant Google and other technology firms to take down the tune.
Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said he had asked the Department of Justice to study the judgment and consider follow-up actions as soon as possible.
“I hope residents understand that we focus on activities endangering national security and those contravening the law to protect the city’s 7 million people,” Lee said. “National security threats can come abruptly. We need to adopt effective measures to prevent, stop and punish such activities.”
A Google spokesman said it had no comment on the issue at the time.
A spokesman for the justice department said it would study the judgment and consider the way forward. “Should there be further information, we will make an announcement,” he added.
Justice minister Paul Lam Ting-kwok lodged the application last month in a bid to bar anyone from promoting the protest tune through “broadcasting, performing, printing, publishing, selling, offering for sale, distributing, disseminating, displaying or reproducing in any way”.
