Image: Reuters Berita 24 English - In order to prevent coverage of the official events marking the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's trans...
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| Image: Reuters |
Berita 24 English - In order to prevent coverage of the official events marking the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's transfer from British to Chinese rule, which President Xi Jinping is expected to attend, journalists from more than seven organisations, including Reuters, have been barred.
A government spokesperson for Hong Kong stated that the administration was "finding a balance as far as feasible" between the need for media attention and security demands.
The official replied, without going into further detail, "We will not comment on the accreditation outcome of individual organisations and persons."
At least 10 journalists from seven or more local and international media outlets were denied access to events on Friday, the Hong Kong Journalists Association announced late on Tuesday. South China Morning Post, Hong Kong 01, Now TV and Ming Pao, as well as Agence France-Presse, were among the publications listed by the organisation as being prohibited.
Reuters has been informed by six sources with direct knowledge of the situation that journalists from Bloomberg, RTHK, and the state-backed Ta Kung Pao were also turned down. A photographer from the government's Information Services Department (ISD) was reportedly one of those turned down, according to The South China Morning Post.
An inquiry for comment from Reuters received no response from any of the eight media outlets. The media outlets authorised to cover the ceremonies could not be immediately confirmed by Reuters.
Two Reuters journalists were denied access to cover John Lee's inauguration and handover ceremony, a Reuters spokeswoman said, adding that the news organisation was looking into the matter further.
The ISD initially asked media outlets to submit up to 20 applications each. Six journalists were sought by Reuters to cover the handover anniversary festivities on Friday. On Saturday, the ISD notified Reuters that just one person may be admitted to each of the two events.
Two journalists were suggested by Reuters, but their applications were turned down.
The police are stepping up security for Xi's visit, which is his first known journey outside of mainland China in more than two years during the COVID-19 pandemic, while they block journalists.
Following sometimes violent anti-government rallies in 2019, Beijing enacted a broad national security regulation on the city, drawing accusations from throughout the world that the freedoms guaranteed to the city during the handover are vanishing.
Officials from China and Hong Kong have stated that the new law is essential for ensuring stability and the preservation of individual rights and freedoms, including freedom of the press.
