Hong Kong’s John Lee says harassed journalists can ‘file police report,’ but sidesteps condemnation of ‘attack’
Hong Kong Free Press
Hong Kong’s John Lee has rebuffed an invitation to criticise the intimidation of journalists, with his office referring HKFP back to comments Lee made during a press briefing when asked whether the city’s leader condemned the recent spate of harassment.
Since Hong Kong’s largest press group announced the “systemic and organised attack” last Friday, it said there had been no further known instances of potentially unlawful intimidation.
On Tuesday, when asked about reports of death threats, intimidation and harassment suffered by dozens of media workers over recent months, Lee told reporters in Cantonese: “In Hong Kong, anyone who needs assistance from law enforcement agencies can file a report to the police, or other law enforcement departments involved, such as the Immigration Department, Custom and Excise Department. Our law enforcement agencies will handle the cases impartially.”
See also: Dozens of journalists threatened, intimidated, harassed in ‘organised attack,’ press group says
Reporters from at least 13 media outlets in the city have been targeted in a “systematic” online and offline attack, the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) said last week. Journalists targeted included those from HKFP, InMedia, HK Feature, those sat on the HKJA’s executive committee, and others who did not wish to be named.
Following Tuesday’s press briefing, Lee’s office was informed by email that two journalists – including HKFP’s director – had already made police reports, and asked if the chief executive would criticise the spate of harassment, as he has condemned police harassment in the past.
In an emailed response, a spokesperson shared a link to the transcript of Tuesday’s press briefing, adding: “The Chief Executive has addressed relevant issue in the media session today and please refer to his remarks at the link below.”
Lee’s comments echoed those of the police, when asked last week if they would offer condemnation. “Hong Kong is a society underpinned by the rule of law. If members of the public suspect that they are being intimidated or harassed, they should report the case to the Police. Police will handle each case in accordance with the law and actual circumstances,” a police spokesperson told HKFP last Friday.
The police chief later vowed to investigate the matter “without bias.”
’20 harassing calls’ each day
At a press conference last Friday, HKJA Chair Selina Cheng said that 15 journalists saw complaints sent to family members, landlords, employers and organisations with which they were associated. Some of the complaints threatened recipients that if they continued to associate with the journalists they could be breaching national security laws.
Cheng said the HKJA was not aware of how those behind the campaign obtained journalists’ personal information, adding it was concerned about apparent and potentially unlawful leaks from government or private databases.
Facebook users had also posted “hateful content” targeting media outlets and journalists in private groups. At least 36 journalists were named and had their photos shared in these posts.
The harassment also involved death threats, Cheng said. Online, photos were posted of journalists and members of the HKJA pictured alongside knives and shooting targets. Screenshots of these photos were then sent to journalists and their parents in a “clear effort to scare and intimidate them,” she added.
See also: Statement – HKFP condemns harassment of Hong Kong’s independent press
One freelance journalist told a Monday radio programme that he had received over 20 harassing calls a day – with some pertaining to be from the National Security Department of the police force – demanding he halt or reduce his journalistic duties. According to The Standard, the unnamed media worker said neighbours and family had received letters containing his personal information and photos, and he faced dismissal from an unrelated job after his superiors were threatened.
HKJA’s advice to journalists facing threats – click to view.
Any journalists who experience such harassment — whether individually or targeting their organisation — should notify their employers, colleagues and family members as soon as possible, in order to psychologically prepare them. They should also take screenshots and preserve threatening messages for potential future prosecution.
In similar campaigns around the world, such trolling has often been accompanied by cyber attacks, with the purpose to steal private photos and information and use this in subsequent campaigns. Journalists should avoid publicly sharing photos of family or friends on social media, and ensure they protect their information security, including enabling two-factor authentication, using secure passwords, and not reusing passwords.
HKJA has arranged counselling services for those emotionally affected by this campaign, and any targeted journalist or family member who experiences anxiety, panic attacks, etc should get in touch with HKJA or other relevant professionals immediately.
HKFP received a call back from police six days after its director made a police report, and a few hours after threats against his landlord were reported publicly. The case is now being handled by the police Wan Chai Division.
Cheng told HKFP on Thursday that there had been no further known instances of unlawful harassment or intimidation since the press conference last Friday, though online trolling persisted.
‘Thorough, immediate investigation’ urged
The surge of intimidation against media workers was criticised by press freedom groups such as Reporters Without Borders, which urged the authorities to fully investigate. On Tuesday, the International Federation of Journalists said it “strongly condemns the increase in threats, harassment, and intimidation experienced by Hong Kong’s media community over the past few months. Journalists and news outlets should not be the subject of abuse for their reporting, and these allegations must be subject to a thorough and immediate investigation from police”
The Foreign Correspondents’ Club said: “These bullying messages are illegal, and should be condemned not only for the violence they seek to inflict, but also for their threats to the freedom of the press as it is guaranteed as a fundamental right in Hong Kong.”
Hong Kong has plummeted in international press freedom indices since the onset of the security law. Watchdogs cite the arrest of journalists, raids on newsrooms and the closure of around 10 media outlets including Apple Daily, Stand News and Citizen News. Over 1,000 journalists have lost their jobs, whilst many have emigrated. Meanwhile, the city’s government-funded broadcaster RTHK has adopted new editorial guidelines, purged its archives and axed news and satirical shows.
See also: Explainer: Hong Kong’s press freedom under the national security law
In 2022, Chief Executive John Lee said press freedom was “in the pocket” of Hongkongers but “nobody is above the law.” Although he has told the press to “tell a good Hong Kong story,” government departments have been reluctant to respond to story pitches.
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