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Author: Zheng Qiuling
2020-09-22 18:02
Last update date: 2020-09-22 18:07
The police wrote to four media organizations today (22), announcing that they will revise the definition of "media representative" under the "General Police Regulations". The news stated that it will take effect as soon as tomorrow.
Eight news unions and organizations issued a joint statement in the afternoon, expressing their solemn protest against the police's hasty decision, saying that the relevant guidelines have been implemented for many years, but the police have made such a major revision without discussing the order and "single-handedly destroy the long-standing relationship between the two sides." , The joint letter requested the police to cancel the amendment, "otherwise they will take all feasible and necessary measures to respond."
[Further Reading] The revised "General Police Regulations" by the police will become effective. "Media representatives" must have registered with the Information Services Department
The joint letter mentioned that the police claimed in the letter that “people claiming to be reporters have been mixed into the crowd, suspected of obstructing the work of the police and even attacking police officers, adding to the difficulty of the police’s law enforcement”, and amended the “Police General Regulations” on this basis. In the original definition of “media representative”, “persons who hold a membership card of the Hong Kong Journalists Association or the Hong Kong Photojournalist Association” were removed, and the information issued by the press release system of the Information Services Department registered the holder of the identity documents issued by the media.
Disguised "Official Licensing System"
The joint letter pointed out that the police’s above-mentioned reasons “are only one-sided remarks and did not provide evidence, and have nothing to do with the Recording Association or the Photographic Association.” The amendments made to the two associations are unreasonable and “disguised. The official definition of what a journalist is and a fundamental change in Hong Kong’s original system is tantamount to implementing an official licensing system.” This seriously affects the freedom of interviews and the freedom of the press.
According to the records of the Association of Journalists, there are currently 604 full members who are eligible to apply for press cards. Only 99 press cards have been issued since January 2020. All the certificates have been issued in accordance with the provisions of the Association’s regulations. The approval process is rigorous and there has never been a case of junk issuance.
The joint letter pointed out that the police did not have any evidence to prove that there were problems in recruiting members and issuing membership cards or press cards in accordance with the rules of the association.
Regarding the police’s letter that “communication with the industry from time to time, exchanging opinions, and actively improving interview arrangements”, it also pointed out that in an operation in Tseung Kwan O on August 10, some media organizations were allowed to enter the police cordoned area for interviews and listened. Industry opinions.
The joint letter pointed out that the Association of Journalists has always maintained an open mind and has repeatedly invited the Commissioner of Police, Deng Bingqiang, to discuss interview arrangements. However, the Commissioner refused to meet. "Therefore, we did not understand the formulation of the prescription "listening to opinions".
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The joint letter finally stated, “We must point out that Article 27 of the Basic Law clearly protects the freedom of the press of Hong Kong residents. Over the past years, many freelance journalists and media that have not registered with the Government Information Service’s publishing system have Reporting facts to the general public at the scene. The police should never use administrative means to screen officially recognized media, which would undermine the rights of Hong Kong people themselves."
Joint statement: A number of news unions and organizations solemnly protest the unilateral revision of the definition of "media representative" under the "General Police Regulations". The police wrote to four media organizations today (September 22) to announce that the "General Police Regulations" will be updated. Under the definition of "media representative".
Many news unions and organizations have solemnly protested the police's hasty decision. We must point out that the relevant guidelines have...
Published by Hong Kong Journalists Association on Tuesday, September 22, 2020
The eight news unions and organizations that issued the joint statement include the Hong Kong Journalists Association, the Hong Kong Photographers’ Association, the Independent Commentators’ Association, the College Journalism Educators’ Association, the Ming Pao Staff Association, the One Media Union, the Radio Television Hong Kong Program Producers’ Union, and the Public News union.
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