China’s ministry tells foreign journalists’ club to ‘stop meddling in Hong Kong’ after concerns raised over new police media guidelines
- Statement accuses Foreign Correspondents’ Club of ‘stirring up trouble’ after it objected to redefinition of press
- Foreign ministry says there is no ‘absolute freedom of the press anywhere that is above the law’
The redefinition of members of the press was meant to uphold media freedom and fell within the confines of the law, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Office in Hong Kong said on its social media accounts on Wednesday night.
“There is no absolute freedom of the press anywhere in the world that is above the law,” it said. “Hong Kong belongs to China and journalists working in the city should be prepared to follow the law of both jurisdictions and consciously accept the oversight of the law.
“The FCC has jumped out in a hurry to defend and whitewash these fake reporters who are really rioters. This is essentially sheltering and condoning the black rioters who seek to stir trouble in Hong Kong and giving them support. The FCC has sinister intentions and only hopes to see Hong Kong in chaos.”
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Police said that beginning on Wednesday they would no longer recognise press accreditation from local media groups or journalist associations unless they were registered with the Information Services Department.
This means some freelancers, student reporters and unregistered new media outlets would not be included. Internationally recognised media outlets are not affected.
Under the revised guidelines, police will facilitate coverage only when it can be done “without compromising operational efficiency”.
Police plan to give only ‘trusted media’ access to certain areas draws backlash
The FCC, local media organisations and universities have warned the restrictions damage press freedom.
The Society of Publishers in Asia said it was extremely concerned about the new rules and urged the force to reverse its action.
“Ensuring that all media representatives, regardless of employment status, can do their jobs safely and that access to information is not curtailed is key to upholding the freedom of press enshrined in law,” it said.
Association chairman Chris Yeung Kin-hing said he feared the new rules would pave the way for the force to arbitrarily set up restricted areas and frequently obstruct journalists.
“We are concerned the obstruction of, or even a ban on, news reporting will be rationalised in the name of maintaining [police] operational efficiency,” Yeung said.
Chan Yik-chiu, who chairs the Hong Kong Press Photographers Association, suggested the force had failed to assist journalists’ work in its latest operations.
Photographers from certain media outlets were granted access to restricted areas outside the premises, but instead of capturing the moment Lai was taken away, the only pictures they could take from behind the police cordon were of officers going to the toilet or taking a lunchbox, he said.