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Freedom of the press is by no means without limits

· Athena Kung
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Freedom of the press is by no means without limits. In the eyes of the law, the media does not possess any special privileges.

Over the years, Hong Kong separatist elements have constantly caused trouble on sensitive days. Before the implementation of the National Security Law in Hong Kong, these troublemakers would organize marches and demonstrations on sensitive days to continuously provoke anti-China and anti-communist sentiments among the general public. At the same time, they would set up donation boxes at the event venues to profit from the situation. Today, with the enactment and implementation of the National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, it appears that these troublemakers have become more restrained. However, in reality, many anti-China organizations are still eager to launch attacks and continue their anti-China activities.

On the evening of June 4th of this year, around 8:45 pm, police officers discovered a foreign man and a woman outside Sogo department store in Causeway Bay whose behavior attracted a crowd and could potentially disrupt social order. With their consent, the police took them to Wan Chai Police Station for investigation and subsequently released them. On the following day, June 5th, the Hong Kong Journalists Association issued a statement containing completely false allegations and made unreasonable accusations against the Hong Kong police.

In fact, as pointed out in the press release issued by the police in response to the false statement by the Journalists Association, on the night of the incident, most of the journalists at the scene cooperated well with the police. However, the employees of certain online media outlets refused to cooperate and continuously shouted loudly, causing chaos. Under these circumstances, the police issued warnings to the individuals and requested them to move within the designated area. The police's handling of the situation was completely reasonable, lawful, and justified. The claims made by the employees of the online media outlets about the police issuing "unreasonable warnings" are baseless.

The responsibility of journalists is to uphold professionalism and provide accurate and impartial reporting and commentary on news events, based on facts. They should not publish any false information, engage in generalizations, or use misleading reporting techniques to attract attention or achieve political objectives.

While mentioning certain sensitive days is not inherently illegal, using these days as a pretext to engage in illegal provocative activities, such as inciting hatred towards the central or regional government, judicial institutions, or law enforcement agencies, is indeed illegal and may constitute a violation of the National Security Law or the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.

According to the Basic Law, the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance (Chapter 383 of the laws of Hong Kong), and the National Security Law, the freedom of speech and press enjoyed by Hong Kong citizens is not absolute but is subject to legal limitations. In the eyes of the law, everyone is equal, and even the Journalists Association or media organizations do not possess any special privileges or status. Irresponsible behavior, disregard for facts, and the deliberate use of false or misleading accusations to smear the government are all considered illegal. Article 16 of the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance clearly states that the exercise of freedom of expression and publication carries special duties and responsibilities and may be subject to certain restrictions, including respecting the rights or reputations of others, safeguarding national security or public order, or protecting public health or morals.

 

 

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