Hong Kong government bars more journalists from covering handover anniversary, with at least 13 now denied access to events

The Hong Kong government has barred more journalists from covering official events marking the 25th anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese rule on security grounds, while two media associations have demanded authorities reconsider the rejections.

At least 13 journalists from nine local and international media outlets based in Hong Kong had now been denied permission to cover the celebratory events, one day ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the city. A Post photographer is among those on the rejected list.

The latest round of rejections included three representatives from Hong Kong Economic Times, news website HK01 and broadcaster TVB.

A source said that although the three had previously received approval from authorities to move into quarantine hotels to fulfil the isolation requirement before covering the events, they were not allowed to check in on Wednesday.

The Hong Kong News Executives’ Association expressed deep regret over the move it regarded as “extremely confusing”, including the “last-minute” notice the ban was made on security grounds, effectively preventing media organisations from sending replacements amid the strict Covid-19 quarantine and testing policies in place for Xi’s visit.

“[The arrangements] bar relevant news outlets from covering the events, which will hinder the news reporting and seriously undermine the public’s right to information,” the group said, adding the government should ensure the legitimate rights of journalists.

According to invitations previously sent out by the Information Services Department to media outlets, all journalists who signed up must undergo daily nucleic acid tests for Covid-19 starting from last Sunday, and isolate themselves in quarantine hotels from Wednesday if they wanted to cover the swearing-in ceremony of the new government.