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Written by: Kong Fanxu
2021-06-17 15:31
The last update date: 2021-06-17 15:31
The National Security Department of the police today (17th) arrested 5 directors and senior officials of Next Media Group and searched the "Apple Daily" building with a court warrant, including news materials.
Yang Jianxing, chairman of the Hong Kong Journalists Association, said at a video press conference in the afternoon that if the media is involved in reporting violations of the National Security Act, it is "spreading fear" and urges the government to clarify as soon as possible how articles published by Apple are in violation of the National Security Act.
He also worries that the "National Security Law" has become a weapon against the media, seriously affecting the freedom of news, speech and expression.
Yang Jianxing, chairman of the Association of Journalists, urged the Hong Kong government to clarify as soon as possible how an article published in "Apple" violated the national security law.
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Yang Jianxing, chairman of the Association of Journalists, pointed out that the police arrested and searched the "Apple Daily" building this time and mobilized 500 police officers. The scale was larger than in August last year. He described the situation as "more terrifying."
He stated that according to the Security Bureau, "Apple" published dozens of articles that violated the National Security Law. He believed that if the report violated the law, it would spread fear, which would seriously affect the freedom of news, speech and expression, and worried that the National Security Law would be used for targeting. The weapon of the media urges the Qing Hong Kong government to clarify as soon as possible which articles are published that would endanger national security.
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Refers to the national security department's fear of being unable to check and balance the power
Yang Xuxu pointed out that in the past, the court will make checks and balances when issuing warrants, depending on whether there are strong grounds and proportions. However, under the provisions of the National Security Law, law enforcement agencies have greater power to search, and the protection of news materials is zero, and it is challenged through judicial channels. Space is very limited and it is not easy. He believes that "the national security department has a lot of power. It seems that there is no one, and there is no organization to check and balance."
Yang is also concerned that the freedom of the press in Hong Kong is already extremely poor. This incident may cause the public to feel that media organizations cannot protect the source of information. The public feels uneasy and no longer provides information to the media. Self-censorship of the media will be even more serious.
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