Hong Kong police chief accuses journalist group of ‘selective listening’ within sector, as war of words intensifies

Raymond Siu says Hong Kong Journalists Association is biased against media members with opposing views, but group hits back citing statements supporting reporters from pro-Beijing agencies

Siu’s comments echo those made by security minister Chris Tang earlier this week that accused group of unprofessionalism

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Commissioner of Police Raymond Siu has joined the city’s security minister in accusations against a journalist group. Photo: Nora Tam

Published: 6:10pm, 18 Sep 2021Updated: 6:09pm, 18 Sep 2021

Hong Kong’s police chief accused a journalist group of selective listening within its industry, as a war of words between both sides intensified on Saturday.

“I have observed that the Hong Kong Journalists Association has selective listening towards media that hold opposite views from them,” Commissioner of Police Raymond Siu Chak-yee said while speaking to reporters after attending a passing-out parade at a police college in Wong Chuk Hang.

“Although journalists from such organisations were mistreated, or even beaten up or attacked, the association did not come forward to speak up for them.”

Secretary chief Chris Tang had earlier hit out at the journalist association. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Echoing sentiments expressed earlier in the week by the city’s security minister, Siu said the group was advocating the idea that “everyone can be a journalist” and going against professional ethics.

“I believe that all of us have an idea of whether the association is professional,” he said. “For instance, can a 13-year-old be a journalist? Although he is not a member of the association, shouldn’t the association bear the responsibility of looking after the kid when he is reporting on site?”