Coupled with the planned fake news law, which could put journalists at greater risk and lead to “self-censorship”, it feared this was the start of a comprehensive clampdown on local media in the name of national security.

“After the closure of Apple Daily, there have been cases where some online outlets ceased operation while others sought to remove some previous reports or commentaries. This clearly shows that press freedom has been shrinking,” said Chris Yeung Kin-hing, the association’s immediate past chairman and chief editor of the annual report.

Yeung said the problem of self-censorship within the media had become more serious after the national security law was enacted, and reporters faced increasing difficulties in finding people willing to talk to them.

He also expressed concerns that the negative impact of the security legislation could deepen in years to come.

“The national security law has been weaponised and there are red lines all over. The truth that the public can know through the media will certainly diminish,” Yeung said.

Hong Kong has also steadily fallen down an annual press freedom ranking by Reporters Without Borders, dropping from 18th place in 2002 to 80th this year. Mainland China was ranked 177th out of 180 countries.

Who defines ‘fake news’ in Hong Kong, and is a law needed?

The association urged the National People’s Congress, China’s top legislature, to heed Hong Kong people’s concerns and have an “objective and fact-based” review of the security legislation.

According to the report, the concept of national security was too vague and could be easily abused. It cited Article 43, which allows police to order the removal of published information or surrendering of any information if needed for an investigation.

It said the law should at least allow the use of public interest as a defence for journalists in order to safeguard press freedom.

“Apple Daily was raided by national security police twice and officers could search press materials,” Ronson Chan Ron-sing, the association’s chairman, said. “The raid and the related arrests were allegedly related to national security. But so far, we have not been told what exactly the red line is and where exactly it is drawn.”

04:36

Hong Kong press freedom is at centre of ‘one country, two systems’

Hong Kong press freedom is at centre of ‘one country, two systems’

In the annual report, the association also asked the Hong Kong government to shelve plans for a fake news law.

“To beat misinformation, the government should do so by other means including education and publicity, which could help enhance public understanding about misinformation for them to exercise self-monitoring,” the report said.

Instead, the association said the government should enact an archives law and a freedom of information law to enhance public access to information and archives.

It also asked officials to stop putting pressure on the city’s embattled public broadcaster RTHK, which underwent seismic changes after the government named veteran civil servant Patrick Li Pak-chuen, who had no media experience, as its new director in March.

Critical news programmes have been withdrawn, and veteran journalists have either resigned or been fired.

Responding in the evening to the report, a spokesman for the Security Bureau said the national security law upheld the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people.

“Any actions taken by Hong Kong law enforcement agencies are based on evidence, strictly according to the law, for the acts of the persons or entities concerned, and have nothing to do with their political stance, background or occupation.

“It would be contrary to the rule of law to suggest that people or entities of certain sectors or professions could be above the law,” the spokesman added.