edited by Alastair Carthew and Simon Winkelmann
The Hong Kong Journalists’ Association [HKJA] criticizing press freedom, an ongoing concern about China’s influence over media; a celebrated case involving a government owned television and radio station, the assault of a female reporter in Beijing and a Chinese official telling Hong Kong journalists their primary role is to assist the regime, not act as a watchdog. According to the HKJA the “vice tightens” on press freedom in the territory.Under Article 27 of the Basic Law, Hong Kong residents have freedom of speech, press and publication. However, in recent years concern has risen about the influence of China’s National People’s Congress to make final interpretations of the Basic Law, Chinese surveillance in the territory and the economic interests of media owners. There is also concern about influence over the issuing of broadcasting licenses and imposition of self-censorship.
The HKJA, in its 2010 annual report noted a growing intolerance toward dissent by Hong Kong authorities which, it said, had led the government to make several decisions that had a “profound effect on freedom of expression.” The most prominent case was a decision to retain Radio Television Hong Kong [RTHK] as a state department instead of becoming independent. The government has promised a charter to enshrine editorial independence, but the HKJA and others have condemned this action.
The government made what the HKJA called “superficial” changes to the issuing of radio licenses. As a result of its concerns, the HKJA recommended a number of steps to bolster media freedom, including: reversing the RTHK decision, reviewing broadcasting legislation, enacting freedom of information legislation, reviewing its policy toward dissent and taking “a robust line with Beijing over the treatment of Hong Kong journalists carrying out legitimate duties in mainland China.”
Treatment of Hong Kong journalists in China has been a growing concern. While journalists have always faced some restrictions reporting on the mainland, incidents like the February, 2009 issuing of regulations by Chinese authorities requiring Hong Kong journalists to obtain temporary press cards before each reporting trip and to obtain prior consent for interviews were new. Reporters in China have sometimes faced surveillance, intimidation, beatings and occasional imprisonment, according to Freedom House, a media watchdog group.
In December, 2010 a female Hong Kong journalist from Radio Television Hong Kong was assaulted in Beijing by a female security guard after going with around 30 other journalists to the house of a released activist involved in the melamine-tainted milk powder case that sickened, and in some cases killed, infants across China.
In August, 2010 a senior Beijing official told Hong Kong journalists that, when social order is in crisis their main role is to assist the regime, “not to act as a watchdog.” His remarks were strongly criticized by Hong Kong journalists. The HKJA described 2010 as having “the most serious difficulties for 10 years” when covering China. Even nearby Macau was subject to restrictions, with Hong Kong reporters being barred entry for the 10th anniversary of Macau’s return to China.
In January, 2010 the Hong Kong Ombudsman issued a “disturbing” report on how the government interprets its Code on Access to Information, finding many departments had considerable misunderstanding of the provisions and familiarity with the procedural requirements of the code.
Media ownership was also turbulent, when Taiwanese billionaire’s efforts to financially rescue foundering Asia Television ran into difficulties from the station’s controlling shareholders, who are close to Beijing. Boardroom struggles and senior executive resignations followed.
Hong Kong had 5.3 million Internet users, or around 75 percent penetration, entering 2010, one of the highest in Asia; and 3.5 million Facebook users as of August 31, 2010, a 50.6 percent penetration rate.
Hong Kong was 34th on the Reporters Without Borders press freedom index in 2010.