“False false”: Hong Kong press group responds to criticism of security chief

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Hong Kong’s main media association has hit back at criticism from the Security Minister, who accused him of infiltrating campuses to recruit student journalists as members.

The Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) said on Tuesday it deeply regrets the flawed factual allegations made by Security Secretary Chris Tang in a front-page interview with Beijing-controlled Ta Kung Pao newspaper.

Ta Kung Paos front page interview with Security Secretary Chris Tang, published September 14, 2021. Photo: Ta Kung Pao screenshot.

The former police chief, who was promoted to head of the Security Bureau in June, accused the HKJA of breaking professional ethics by supporting the idea that everyone is a journalist. He referred to the composition of the executive committee of the HKJA and questioned the representativeness of the unions.

I have noticed that the members of the executive committee of the HKJA have always [come from] a few media organizations, there are a lot of student reporters inside Tang, Ta Kung Pao said.

The current executive committee includes reporters from media such as Ming Pao, SCMP, HKFP, RTHK, Stand News and Now TV.

The security chief said the HKJA’s recognition of a 13-year-old journalist contradicted public expectations that journalists should be professionally trained.

When asked if the HKJA waived the requirements for it to be considered a legally registered union, due to doubts about its credibility, Tang said all groups must obey the law.

Photo: Government of Hong Kong.

The credibility of the HKJA and its registration are two different things. If organizations or groups break the law, including the national security law, [they have to] bear the responsibility, the official said.

Tang’s outspoken criticism of the HKJA came amid an unprecedented crackdown on local civil society groups, including unions. Another Beijing-controlled newspaper in Hong Kong, Wen Wei Po, last month called the HKJA an anti-government political organization that defends fake news. He listed five bad deeds and said it should be regulated.

In response to Tang’s accusation, the association said he ignored the facts. Only about 13% or less than 60 of its members were students, who had historically been eligible to apply for membership rather than being roped up, he said.

Hong Kong Journalists Association. Photo: Kelly Ho / HKFP.

Thirteen percent of members: This should not be able to become the backbone of our group, HKJA said, adding that it was very concerned for the welfare of teenage reporters and would urge them to avoid dangerous places.

Tang may have been referring to a May 2020 incident where officers berated a teenager wearing a press vest during a demonstration at a mall. Speaking in his personal capacity, then HKJA chief Chris Yeung said the student did not break any laws.

HKJA will not bend easily

The group of journalists who have operated in Hong Kong for more than five decades cited the Basic Law as saying that Hong Kong people should enjoy freedom of the press and the right to publish. He said Tang had agreed that citizens have the right to report on the streets when he was the police chief and met with four media groups.

To put it simply, we didn’t advocate the so-called everyone is a journalist. Our group is only protecting press freedom protected by the Basic Law, the HKJA said.

Hong Kong journalists stand inside an area cordoned off by police. Photo: Studio Incendo.

The association also accused Ta Kung Pao of failing to defend professionalism in journalistic work and of creating public misunderstanding.

In recent months, the government has repeatedly said it must fight fake news and disinformation. Ta Kung Pao, in charge of maintenance, not only did not verify the facts, but also did not ask for a response from us.

In an interview with RTHK on Tuesday, HKJA chief Ronson Chan said: We will not dissolve easily and we will do our best to discharge our duty until the last moment.

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