Hong Kong Police Signal Media Control... Only Registered Media Supported for Coverage

Hong Kong Media Opposes Press Suppression, Threatens Legal Action Citing Violation of Hong Kong Basic Law

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Hong Kong police announced on the 23rd that they will only support media outlets registered with the government, sparking controversy. Currently, 205 media outlets are registered in the Hong Kong government press release system.

From this day forward, Hong Kong police stated that they will only allow coverage and provide support to media registered in the Government News Media Information System (GNMIS) or internationally well-known reputable foreign media outlets.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The main reason cited is that at least 13 individuals carrying fake press IDs and wearing fake press vests have been arrested at protest sites.

The police explained that those impersonating journalists and those claiming to be 'one-person media' have caused disruptions in official duties at protest sites, and this issue has been officially raised by organizations such as the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA).

Accordingly, journalists from unregistered media outlets may be arrested at illegal protest sites and are prohibited from participating in coverage, interviews, and press conferences within police cordons.

The police sent a letter regarding this revised 'definition of media outlets' to four Hong Kong media organizations last night.

In response, eight Hong Kong media organizations criticized the police measure as no different from an official media licensing system, arguing that it infringes on the freedom of the press and interviews.

They also demanded the immediate withdrawal of the measure, stating that freedom of the press is not granted by the police.

The Hong Kong Federation of Journalists also requested a detailed explanation of the police’s policy, and 44 online media outlets opposed the measure, saying it ignores the changed media environment and represents a regression.

Hong Kong media organizations stated that the police measure violates the Hong Kong Basic Law, which guarantees freedom of the press, and announced that they are considering legal action.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.