Hong Kong’s police chief hopes to talk to representatives of four local press associations on May 21 in the hope of better facilitating reporters covering street violence.
Media groups invited to meet with Police Commissioner Chris Tang Ping-keung were the Hong Kong Journalists Association, the Hong Kong News Executives’ Association, the Hong Kong Federation of Journalists, and the Hong Kong Press Photographers Association.
Police officers at the scenes also have to keep reporters at a safe distance because there were cases in which officers were attacked by people blending in with the reporters
Chris Tang Ping-keung, police commissioner
In an operation to disperse the protesters that gathered in Mong Kok on Sunday night, police officers were alleged to have mistreated reporters at the scene. A few complained that they were rudely accosted by officers who demanded they turn off cameras and stand against a wall or kneel on the ground. Some reporters also said officers assaulted them with pepper spray.
Tang said on Tuesday that the police-journalist interaction during the protest chaos that night was “undesirable”, adding that some officers could have acted more professionally. He said the force will thoroughly review the incident and explore ways to improve the situation.
In an open letter issued on Monday to the four media groups, Tang said the increasing number of people covering protests with cameras has posed additional challenges to law enforcement. Therefore, the recurrence of friction between police officers on duty and reporters on site is unavoidable, he added.
Police officers at the scenes also have to keep reporters at a safe distance because there were cases in which officers were attacked by people blending in with the reporters, Tang said. Fake press passes have also been seized at the scenes of recent protests.
Regarding the scheduled meeting with media representatives next week, the police chief said he is open to discussions about the feasibility of introducing an accreditation system for journalists — a proposal that has seen heated debate this week.
Lawmaker Priscilla Leung Mei-fun said on Monday she backs the move to have reporters registered locally.
Such a system could prevent people from disguising themselves as journalists, while the absence of such a system would allow those without relevant experience and qualifications to risk their safety covering social events, Leung said.
Lawmaker Elizabeth Quat Pui-fan echoed Leung’s concerns, saying the registration system could ensure the quality of news content. “Some 100 reporters on Sunday night may have obstructed police officers. The system will not impair the freedom of the press but can ensure the integrity of media professionals by disqualifying some incompetent ones,” she said.
