Hong Kong's police chief has vowed to investigate reports of harassment and intimidation “impartially” after a local journalists' union said reporters from at least 13 media outlets in the city had been harassed. was subjected to “systematic” online and offline attacks.
As of last Friday, police had received two reports of alleged harassment and intimidation against Hong Kong journalists and their family members, Police Commissioner Raymond Siu told the press last Saturday after a parade at the Hong Kong Police College.
The police chief said Hong Kong was a rule of law society, adding that people should contact police and file a report if they were being intimidated or harassed.
“Regardless of people's backgrounds, the police will definitely conduct a thorough and impartial investigation,” Siu said in Cantonese.
Reported harassment
Siu's statement came a day after the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) said dozens of journalists had received defamatory emails and letters at their homes, workplaces and other locations since June.
HKJA Chairperson Selina Cheng said at a press conference last Friday that the journalists affected included staff from Hong Kong Free Press, InMedia, HK Feature, as well as members of the HKJA executive committee.
According to the press union, 15 journalists saw anonymous emails and letters sent to family members, landlords, employers and organizations with which they were associated. Some recipients were warned of possible violations of national security laws if they continued to communicate with journalists.
Cheng said Facebook users also posted “hateful content” targeting media outlets and journalists in closed Facebook groups. At least 36 journalists were named and their photos were posted in these posts.
The HKJA chairwoman said it was unclear how the journalists' personal information was obtained, adding that the press union was concerned about “apparent leaks from government or other private databases.” She cited three cases of journalists being searched by customs officials upon entering Hong Kong in recent months, saying two of them had received threatening messages immediately upon entering the territory.
Hong Kong Customs
Last Friday, Deputy Security Minister Michael Cheuk said anyone who had been threatened, insulted or harassed should report their case to law enforcement. The government has not received any reports of data breaches, the official said, adding that he did not know why the HKJA claimed personal data could have been stolen from a government database.
“Hong Kong is a society governed by the rule of law and no one should be subject to intimidation, abuse or so-called persecution,” Cheuk said in Cantonese.
The Customs and Excise Department issued a statement hours after the HKJA reported that some journalists had begun receiving anonymous messages following customs checks during clearance of incoming cargo.
The department said its officers would not collect passengers' personal phone numbers during customs clearance. It added that risk assessment and intelligence analysis were used to select passengers, cargo, postal parcels and vehicles for inspection and clearance.
“The department shall endeavour to ensure that the collection, use, storage, transfer and access of personal data in the course of operations, investigations and provision of services are carried out in accordance with the requirements of the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance and that all officials strictly comply with the relevant regulations,” the customs statement said.
“Conduct an urgent investigation”
The reported campaign of intimidation and harassment has been condemned by the international press freedom organisation Reporters Without Borders (RSF). In a statement released last Friday, the NGO called on the international community to “take decisive action” in support of the city’s journalists.
“We strongly condemn this campaign of harassment against independent media outlets that have managed to survive previous waves of government repression. We call on the international community to increase pressure on the Chinese regime so that press freedom is fully restored on the territory,” said Cedric Alviani, director of RSF's Asia-Pacific bureau.
The Foreign Correspondents' Club of Hong Kong (FCC) also said it was “extremely concerned” about reports of harassment faced by Hong Kong journalists. It called on local authorities to “urgently investigate” the allegations to ensure the safety of journalists working in the city.
“These offensive messages are illegal and should be condemned not only for the violence they seek to cause but also for threatening freedom of the press, which is guaranteed as a fundamental right in Hong Kong,” the FCC said in a statement last Friday.
Freedom of the Press in Hong Kong
There is one in Hong Kong International press freedom has plummeted indexes from the beginning security law. Observers refer to arrest of journalists, raids on editorial offices and the closure of about 10 media outlets, including Apple Daily, Stand news And Citizens' News. Above 1000 journalists lost their jobs while many emigratedMeanwhile, the city government-funded television station RTHK has adopted new Editorial Rulespurified his archives and abolished news And satirical show.
See also: Explainer: Hong Kong Press Freedom Under National Security Law
In 2022, CEO John Lee said: freedom of the press was “in the pocket” of Hong Kongers, but “no one is above the law.” Although he told the press, “tell a good story about hong kong“, government departments were reluctant to respond to history suggestions.
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