Hong Kong’s largest journalist group holds meeting to discuss possibility of disbandment, says it will still operate for ‘foreseeable future’
- Ronson Chan, chairman of Hong Kong Journalists Association, says topic of disbandment came up during special three-hour meeting
- Meeting’s atmosphere was ‘overwhelming’, Chan says, adding group will seek more views and gather written submissions from members
Hong Kong’s largest association of journalists held a special meeting on Saturday to discuss the organisation’s future, including the possibility of disbandment, the group’s leader said.
But Ronson Chan Ron-sing, chairman of the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA), said the organisation would still operate for the “foreseeable future”.
The online meeting concerned whether the association’s constitution should be amended to allow the 54-year-old group to disband amid mounting political pressure.
Chan confirmed the topic of disbandment came up during the meeting, which lasted for more than three hours. Disbanding the group would require the consent of at least five-sixths of the members, according to its constitution.
“I dare not say if disbandment would be an option for us as the executive committee has just heard [members’ views]. As I said before, disbandment is a discussion for sure and someone indeed mentioned the word ‘disbandment’,” he said. “We need to consider danger and risks … we need to listen to different views from members. I can only say we will operate in the foreseeable future.”
The association will gather written submissions from members before May 31 and may need to further consult members at the annual general meeting that is likely to be held in June.
About 90 members were present at the online meeting and some 20 people spoke, with Chan describing the atmosphere as “overwhelming”.