Social News
Written by: Kong Fanxu
2020-08-12 17:00
Last update date: 2020-08-12 17:07When the police searched the Apple Daily Building in Tseung Kwan O on Monday (10th), the police officers on the scene suddenly adopted new measures and selected some “local, large-scale media that did not hinder or threaten the police in past police operations”. Enter the interview area delineated within the cordon. In an exclusive interview with "Hong Kong 01", the Commissioner of Police Deng Bingqiang pointed out that under the new measures, "credible media" can enter the lockdown zone, and he clearly stated that there will be "more information."
The Hong Kong Journalists Association today (12th) sent a letter to Deng Bingqiang, opposing the police's self-definition of media screening. It believes that this kind of "distinctness" approach seriously tramples on freedom of the press, demanding that it be cancelled as soon as possible. "The subjective approach has no objective standards." It emphasizes that government departments should allow media coverage as much as possible, rather than adopting the method of "obedient."
[Li Zhiying arrested] On August 10, the police placed multiple media outlets outside the Apple Building. (Photo by Luo Junhao)
The Records Association wrote to the Commissioner of Police Deng Bingqiang today, stating that when the police searched the Apple Daily building on Monday, they refused to allow some media including Radio Hong Kong and Stand News; the Associated Press, AFP, Reuters and other foreign news agencies to enter the blockade. "Interview area" has aroused dissatisfaction in the industry. The Records Association, 11 media organizations and institutions, the Association of News Administrators and other international media organizations all opposed the police decision.
The HKMA reiterated that this new regulation is no different from screening the media, disregarding the principle of fairness that Hong Kong has always valued, creating a situation of "differentiation between relatives and estrangements," and seriously trampling on press freedom. It calls on the police to listen to the opinions of the industry and cancel this new measure as soon as possible.
The female police officer of the Police Media Liaison Team told the media on site that they would select the media to enter the interview area. (Screenshot of Radio Hong Kong)
+4
+3
+2
Journalist Association: There is no objective standard for subjective view
The open letter mentions that Deng Bingqiang once stated that the police would arrange for "trusted media" to enter the blockade for interviews separately, and the criterion for defining "trusted media" is "depending on the past performance of the media, whether or not the police believe that they are not professional journalists." Behavior, including whether the report is fair, does not participate in activities other than the report, will not hinder the police from performing their duties, and will not pose a danger to police officers."
The Journalist Association believes that Deng Bingqiang’s approach is entirely subjective and there is no objective standard. The “police assists credible media with more help” is a different approach, which is obviously different from the fairness principle that the government has always pursued. The HKMA also pointed out that interviews involving major public interest events are not "personal personal contacts." Government departments should try their best to allow the media to monitor reports on the spot instead of adopting the "obedient" approach.
+2
"Why didn't I inform you in advance when interviewed by the media?"
The Chief Superintendent of the Police Public Relations Division, Kwok Ka-quan, said recently that the new measures are to facilitate media interviews and increase transparency in police work. The Association asked in an open letter: "If the purpose of the new measures is to facilitate media interviews, why did not inform the media and consult the industry in advance? What we saw at the scene, the reporters didn’t know what to do and didn’t know what to do with the police arrangements; if the new measure is to increase the transparency of police work, why deny some media organizations from entering the coverage area? Ironically, the area of the Next Media Building is already very large. The blockade has been set up one street away, and the selected friendly media can only approach the usual gate for interviews, while journalists who are denied entry are blocked more than 100 meters away and cannot interview at all."
The HKMA reiterated that press freedom is a basic human right and is protected by Article 27 of the Basic Law. As the fourth power, the media shoulders the responsibility of monitoring the government and exposing abuse and injustice. The media’s interview qualifications should not be arbitrarily screened by those holding public powers. The police are urged to cancel as soon as possible after receiving objections from the industry. The Journalist Association also mentioned that Deng Bingqiang had earlier stated that he refused to meet with the Journalist Association because of differences in the handling of the yellow vest. Although he was disappointed, he still remained open to the dialogue and communication between the police media and the media. Solve the problem.
01 Interview｜Tang Ping-keung: Welcome to apply for the police force over 30 years old, with work experience and diversified contributions
01 Interview｜Deng Pingqiang: Superintendent's warning can avoid the anti-amendment law, and juveniles should be kept in the case for more cases
01 Interview｜Deng Bingqiang described the US sanctions as if the underworld means forced me to make a big mistake
01 Interview｜Deng Pingqiang: The Police Force Tests New Recruitment of "Credible" Media to Enter the Blockade
Li Zhiying Arrested | From the Journalist Association's press card to the visibility of the media, the police have repeatedly tightened the definition of media
The Police Force Trial Implementation of "Trusted Media" Access to the Blockade Interview with the Chairman of the Association: Create more problems
Li Zhiying Arrested | The Chairman of the Journalist Association criticizes the action to trample on the freedom of the press, and some media have been refused interview
Tang Pingqiang Police Force Hong Kong Journalists Association
