Hong Kong (China)

The IFJ joins its affiliate the HKJA in condemning the continued use of violence against journalists covering the Occupy Movement protests in Hong Kong. We are also deeply concerned over the minimal support from the Hong Kong Government and Police for journalists and media workers covering the protests.

Zhang Miao, an arts reporter for the German magazine “Die Zeit”, was arrested on 2 October and subsequently accused of “committing provocative activities and creating troubles.”

As large-scale demonstrations grip Hong Kong, Reporters Without Borders summarizes the state of information freedom in the city.

Thugs and anti-Occupy Movement protesters brutally attacked several journalists in Mong Kok, Kowloon, Hong Kong on 3 and 4 October 2014.

To de-escalate, the Hong Kong government should start by meeting with the protest leaders, commit to an investigation into the use of excessive force to clear protestors, and exercise restraint with respect to further uses of force.

As mainland China steps up its efforts to suppress information about the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong, the online censorship monitoring website GreatFire.org has reported that several international media censored their own coverage in the initial stages at least.

As pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong continue, some reporters have been caught in the melee. But for Hong Kong’s journalists, there is more at stake than run-ins with the riot police.

The IFJ has strongly criticised the Internet censorship being employed by Mainland Chinese authorities as pro-democracy protests continue in Hong Kong on 1 October, Chinese National Day.

The Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) has condemned the police use of force against reporters who have been covering pro-democracy rallies and the use of tear gas against peaceful demonstrators.

China’s Congress recently ruled that candidates for Hong Kong’s Chief Executive must be nominated by a committee composed mostly of pro-Beijing individuals, quashing hopes for an open election in 2017. The decision comes after months of protests and a mock referendum in Hong Kong.

IFJ is deeply concerned about a radio host whose contract was terminated because he promised to host a rally against the Occupy Movement in Hong Kong.

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) is deeply concerned about press freedom in Hong Kong after a pro-democracy news website was suddenly closed, with the co-founder admitting he was “afraid”. The IFJ has said it is another case of the ongoing pressure placed on Hong Kong’s media. The site, House News, was established in 2012 […]

The IFJ urged social media platform Facebook to uphold freedom of expression and say no to outside influence, after many Hong Kong account holders expressed anger at perceived interference.

As political tension between Hong Kong and Beijing increases, the HKJA expects further deterioration in press freedom in the years to come. The organisation has established a Self-censorship Monitoring Committee to look into complaints by members of the press.

In the early hours of 14 June, a group of protestors were taken away by police after they unsuccessfully stormed the Legislative Council Building. Journalists, photographers and members of camera crews from Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK), Hong Kong Television Broadcasting (TVB) and Cable Television were injured during the scuffle. Police also used pepper spray without warning.

To raise awareness of the need to safeguard press freedom in Hong Kong, the HKJA with the help of a group of consultants, designed a scientific research method to collect data to produce the first Hong Kong Press Freedom Index.