The National Security Department of the police served a court order to four media organizations, requesting them to provide information within a time limit. HKJA expressed extreme concern about the incident. Although the Police emphasized that they are not requesting journalistic materials from media organizations, the materials requested involve media operation information, that would pose threats on journalists and leads to chilling effect, self-censorship and bottom line guessing problems in the industry will deteriorate rapidly.

Basic Law protects Hong Kong citizens’ freedom of speech, freedom of the press and publication. This is also the cornerstone of Hong Kong’s success as an international metropolis and financial center. Before the implementation of the “Hong Kong National Security Law”, HKJA issued a written submission to the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, stating that the enactment of the “Hong Kong National Security Law” is equivalent to pointing a sharp knife at the heads of Hong Kong people. As this sharp knife gets closer and closer, it will have a negative impact on the various freedoms Hong Kong people originally enjoyed and which undermine Hong Kong’s status as an international financial center.

Hong Kong Journalists Association

6 January 2021