#THREAD: As a Hong Kong freelance journalist, I’d like to say something other in-house journalists may not dare say due to their code of conduct. Forgive me for being sentimental tonight. But it is important, as today, Sept 23, marks the darkest day for Hong Kong’s #PressFreedom.
Today is the first day when the new definition of media representative is applied to the police protocol. The new definition disavows credentials from the city’s most acclaimed journalists’ unions the HK Journalists Asso. and the HK Press Photographers Asso.
The police would only acknowledge media which had registered under the Government News and Media Information System and “internationally recognised and reputable” foreign media organisations in the name of “facilitating frontline duties of police officers”.
One might be quickly reminded of the licensing regime for journalists, which pro-Beijing politicians, activists and police officers’ associations have been calling on since the mass anti-govt protests erupted last year in order to regulate the journalism industry.
Hong Kong Chief Executive, Carrie Lam, rejected the idea in October last year, saying the govt had no intention to put forward a licensing mechanism. But instead, it put forward today something that is much worse than the licensing scheme.
The new arrangement has drastically narrowed the definition of journalists and gives frontline police officers the authority to approve and, in other words, handpick journalists in a protest scene. It greatly undermines Hong Kong’s press freedom and journalists’ right to report.
Security chief John Lee defended the police, saying that many places where press freedom is praised, like New York and Los Angeles, also have a journalist certification system which authorities issue press cards to journalists. But the inconvenient truth is: they are democracies.
But unfortunately, Hong Kong doesn’t have full democracy, or instead, a declining democracy which almost all sorts of freedoms are under threat. Rules applicable to NYC and LA does not apply to Hong Kong. What is worse, it is another blatant curtailment of freedom of the press.
Let’s not forget which media outlet captured the scene when an officer shot a 21yo in his abdomen in Sai Wan Ho in Nov last year. It was @CUPIDNEWS1, an online news outlet not included on the govt registry. Without the footage, people’s right to know would have been compromised.
Let’s not forget the scene when several officers chased down and subdued a 12yo girl in Mong Kok earlier this month. The footage was shot by a student journalist from HKUST. All these indicate that even one reporter less, the authorities would dominate the truth.
The existence of journalists is a constant reminder of the existence of injustice. The only way in which the authorities can get rid of journalists in society: to listen to the society and to make it freer and more democratic.
Mrs Lam, if you are a true believer of laissez-faire, then the city’s journalism industry should not be regulated by the authorities, but by the market. What you think a plethora of journalists aptly reflects the shortcoming of trust in official sources.
US-based international media outlet @washingtonpost has modified its narrative about Hong Kong, shifting from “semi-autonomous city” to “once-autonomous city”. I hope, Mrs Lam, you could think twice before you turn it to “another Chinese city”.
I hope, as a freelance journalist, I’d make use of the traction I’ve gleaned on Twitter, which I doubt I have, to speak for my fellows. Unfortunately, the locus towards the demise of the city’s press freedom is only likely to be reinforced. My only thing left to say is stay safe.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
#BREAKING: A horrible accident erupted as a Hong Kong singing and dancing boy band was hosting their first concert, injuring at least two dancers. Both were said to be conscious when being sent to the hospital.
#BREAKING: Hong Kong’s leader has ordered authorities to investigative after 2 dancers performing with Canto-pop boy band Mirror were struck by a fallen screen during the show. One performer in serious condition in intensive care, suffering neck injuries. scmp.com/news/hong-kong…
Meanwhile, the concert organisers have announced to call off the remaining eight shows after the government ordered the remaining concerts to be suspended until stage sets at the venue were checked and proved to be safe.
The Wednesday victory of Olympic silver medallist Siobhán Haughey has revealed the very essence of Hong Kong’s decades-long success: openness, pluralism and meritocracy. It doesn’t matter if one is of Chinese descent or European origin. It’s about whether one works hard enough.
Instead of Hong Kong, the 23-year-old could have chosen to represent Ireland, which definitely puts more focus on athlete development. Yet, she insists on Hong Kong, saying in Cantonese: “I was born in Hong Kong, and live in Hong Kong......
... I am always connected with Hong Kong. I am proud to represent Hong Kong.”
#BREAKING: Beijing will give the “Hong Kong Chief Executive Election Committee the new power to nominate all candidates for Legislative Council members and directly elect some members to the legislature,” Wang Chen, the National People’s Congress Standing Committee vice-chairman.
Instead of the 35:35 balance between the Legislative Council’s geographical and functional constituencies, the overhaul will adopt a new 20:30:40 proportion and divide the legislature into three components, pro-Bejing media HK01 reported. hk01.com/article/595515
Meanwhile, with 40 seats, representatives from the Chief Executive Election Committee will be the most powerful division among the three. As pro-democracy voices are expected to be eradicated in the shake-up, pro-Beijing voices will likely overwhelm the new 90-seat legislature.
#BREAKING: Beijing is planning to increase the number of seats for the Hong Kong Chief Executive election committee from 1,200 to 1,500, and the Hong Kong Legislative Council from 70 to 90 seats, local news outlet Now News cites sources. #HongKongProtest
“The development in recent years show that the electoral system needs to be improved to keep abreast with the times and......
provide sound institutional guarantee for the full and accurate implementation of the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ and the principle of ‘patriots administering Hong Kong’,” says Zhang Yesui, spokesperson of the National People’s Congress annual plenary session which starts Friday.
One of the 12 illegal border-crossers arrested by China on Aug 23 appeared to be Andy Li, a defendant arrested under the national security law: @RFA_Chinese. Mr Li was arrested the same day media mogul Jimmy Lai @JimmyLaiApple was arrested. He is now detained by Guangdong police.
Radio Free Asia continues that Andy Li, together with the 11 passengers, went aboard on the Kwo Chau Islands in Hong Kong. Meanwhile, other sources reveal that their destination was the Kinmen Islands, a Taiwanese enclave opposite to the Chinese Fujian province.
However, their boat was stopped as they were en route to Kinmen. It is suspected that Andy Li would want to leave Hong Kong before he had to report to the police on Sept 1, because he would not be granted a court bail if the police took him to the court directly that day.
#BREAKING: Hong Kong pro-democracy media tycoon Jimmy Lai is arrested for colluding with foreign powers, a crime under the national security law. Seven are arrested in total: sources, including Cheung Kim-hung, ex-chief editor of Apple Daily @appledaily_hk . #HongKongProtests
Jimmy Lai, who is a UK citizen, is handcuffed and and escorted to a van. Arrested for alleged foreign collusion, he is so far the highest-profile arrested after national security law was inserted by Beijing. Police says he is also arrested for committing fraud. #HongKongProtests
Hundreds of police officers raid the headquarters of Apple Daily, which Jimmy Lai founded. Police restate Lai is arrested for colluding with foreign powers, endangering national security and conspiring to defraud. All Apple Dailly staff are booked. Not clear what the purpose is.