The Hong Kong Journalists Association and the Hong Kong Press Photographers Association strongly condemn the Hong Kong Police Force’s obstruction of reporting and encircling of reporters.

The Hong Kong Police Force sent the Special Tactical Squad into Prince Edward MTR station on Saturday night (31 AUG), where many reporters and photographers were expelled during their reporting and filming without any reasonable explanation. The closing of the Prince Edward station barred any members of the press from entering the station for reporting, hence the lack of media monitoring on the police conduct inside the station.

Earlier in the evening, a number of reporters questioned the identity of an alleged police officer at Victoria Park, but none of them was given a response. A number of uniform officers immediately encircled about 10 journalists near a 5 meter by 2 meter planter near Victoria Park and cordoned them off. A female officer on-site explained that the police were conducting “special operations” and refused to let the reporters leave. The reporters were only allowed to leave after a number of alleged police officers had boarded a tourist bus and left, and the whole incident lasted for around 5 minutes.

The Hong Kong Journalists Association and the Hong Kong Press Photographers Association severely condemn the police’s serious infringement on the right to report and urge the police to provide a reasonable explanation for their action.

Hong Kong Journalists Association
Hong Kong Press Photographers Association

 

Caption: At the time, the police officer suspected of posing as protester had boarded the tourist bus, and the reporters who wanted to pursue were encircled by police officers with orange tape.

Photo Source: TMHK

The Hong Kong Journalists Association strongly condemns the Hong Kong Police Force for assaulting and injuring reporters
獨立評論人協會、香港記者協會聯合聲明:譴責暴徒罵踢記者 衝擊一國兩制根本 (Chinese only)