Hong Kong (China)

On 19 March, two Hong Kong media executives were attacked by four masked men wielding iron pipes. The attack is the second in a month, following the horrific cleaver attack on former “Ming Pau” editor Kevin Lau on February 26.

After a series of increasingly violent events, IFEX members and supporters call on Chief Executive Leung Chun-Ying to take clear and deliberate steps to defend press freedom.

IFJ and the HKJA have condemned a brutal attack on recently-sacked “Ming Pao” chief editor Kevin Lau. The horrific attack comes amidst rising tensions in Hong Kong over ongoing threats to free speech and freedom of the press.

The IFJ has released a catalogue of press freedom violations in Hong Kong dating back nine months and is calling on the Chief Executive of Hong Kong to take steps to protect freedom of expression.

The IFJ and its affiliate, the HKJA, are deeply concerned that press freedom in Hong Kong has been jeopardised by the sacking of Li Wei-Ling, an outspoken radio talk-show host with Commercial Radio of Hong Kong.

The state of media freedom in Hong Kong and Taiwan is significant in part because news outlets in both places have in the past provided comprehensive, independent coverage of China, filling a gap left by the tightly restricted mainland press. Any rise in interference, including self-censorship, would imperil the ability of the Hong Kong and Taiwanese press to play a watchdog role.

IFJ’s report documents the continued deterioration of press freedoms in Mainland China, as well as Hong Kong and Macau. It takes its title in direct response to Chinese authorities adopting more repressive measures in 2013 reminiscent of the Mao era four decades ago, including direct censorship, Internet surveillance, abuse of legal process, harassment and intimidation, and televised confessions of journalists and bloggers without trial.

The Hong Kong Journalists Association is gravely concerned over the replacement of “Ming Pao”‘s chief editor by a Malaysian journalist. Some of the paper’s staff fear the move will pose further restrictions on reporting and raise doubts about the paper’s editorial direction in the future, especially in regards to sensitive issues like political reform.

The International Federation of Journalists strongly opposes the pressure on two Hong Kong media outlets to become tools for law enforcement; Commercial Radio and the “iSunAffairs” magazine are being asked to provide their journalistic materials to assist in the investigation of a corruption case.

Police stood by as various photographers were blocked, verbally harassed, pushed and attacked by unidentified people while covering a scuffle at Mongkok, Kowloon, Hong Kong.

Leung Chun-ying’s first year as Hong Kong’s chief executive has brought about bad omens for freedom of expression and press freedom, according to the Hong Kong Journalists Association annual report.

The HKJA strongly condemns the repeated threats and attacks on people associated with the Next Media Group, as it has reasons to suspect that this series of atrocities targets the media industry in Hong Kong.

Provisions of Hong Kong’s privacy law that went into effect 1 April 2013 could subject journalists to five years in jail or large fines if they reveal information that “causes psychological harm” or “causes loss.”

HKJA welcomes remarks by the United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC) urging the Hong Kong Government to enact legislation to ensure access to information and to investigate attacks on journalists so as to protect freedom of expression and press freedom.

A correspondent for a broadcaster and four of her colleagues were attacked by unidentified thugs after they finished filming at a village in China’s Hebei province.

According to the International Federation of Journalists, 2012 saw an escalation in the efforts to control information and censor the media, with the management of media outlets in China receiving up to a dozen restrictive orders a day and a number of journalists who were suspended or forced to leave their jobs due to pressure from Chinese authorities.