Prosecution of journalist for entering Hong Kong Legco amid July 1 protest sparks ‘extreme concern’ from city’s biggest press body

The prosecution of a journalist for entering the legislature during an anti-government protest in Hong Kong has led to the city’s biggest press body raising “extreme concern”.

Ma Kai-chung, a coordinator and reporter for localist online news portal Passion Times, appeared at Eastern Court on Thursday to face one count of entering or remaining in the Legislative Council chamber on July 1.

While the court has not heard whether Ma was there for work, other reporters followed protesters inside the Admiralty complex that day to capture their actions as they stormed the building on the 22nd anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese rule.

The Hong Kong Journalists Association subsequently said in a statement it was “reasonable” for journalists to enter the Legco building that day to exercise their power of the fourth estate and report the event.

“Our association is concerned that if reporters are prosecuted merely for following protesters to a location, it would deal a severe blow to the freedom of the press and public rights to the truth, thus damaging the interest of the public,” it said.

The body also called on the government not to obstruct journalists in doing their job, while urging other news outlets to step up their legal support.

Legal experts said reporters could be charged for the entry “theoretically”, although they could put up a defence at trial.