Press freedom in Hong Kong ‘at its worst’ with journalists attacked and berated by police and protesters on both sides of extradition bill clashes

New low for media freedom, says Hong Kong Journalists Association, as it publishes annual report

Union predicts situation will decline further, on the back of protest abuse, self-censorship and visa issues

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Photographers wear helmets at a police press conference on June 13, in protest against the force’s handling of the media during clashes the night before. Photo: K.Y. Cheng

Published: 5:48pm, 7 Jul 2019Updated: 8:44pm, 7 Jul 2019

Press freedom in the city had fallen to its lowest level amid reporters being attacked at rallies by police and protesters, the Hong Kong Journalists Association warned on Sunday.

The city’s longest established union for working journalists, which outlined its observations with the release of its annual report, also raised fears the situation would only deteriorate further.

The association’s chairman Chris Yeung Kin-hing, referring to the report, said journalists had faced increased threats to freedom of expression and press freedom in Hong Kong over the past year, including during ongoing protests against the now-suspended extradition bill.

A TVB cameraman surrounded by protesters at an extradition bill rally on June 27. Photo: Alvin Lum

“We have seen violence, excessive use of force, harassment and abuses by police and protesters from both ends of the political spectrum against journalists at anti-extradition law rallies for various reasons,” Yeung said.

“[This] will really restrict reporters’ freedom to report and ultimately people’s right to know,” he added.