Hong Kong's Press Freedom Sinks Further

Andy Chan's talk at the FCC called into question press freedom in Hong Kong

We're not surprised by the report today that press freedom in Hong Kong is at its lowest in six years, as perceived by the public, who for the first time cite concerns of Beijing's influence.

Several incidents made the headlines last year: the Hong Kong government expelling former vice president of the Foreign Correspondents' Club Victor Mallet, the government's banning separatist Andy Ho-tin's Hong Kong National Party, mainland Chinese officials attacking Hong Kong journalists in Beijing and Sichuan, and cancellation of talks by Chinese dissident Ma Jian by Tai Kwun.

Shirley Yam (left) says the low score is concerning

A survey was jointly released by the Hong Kong Journalists Association and the Public Opinion Programme of the University of Hong Kong on Tuesday, and it revealed almost one in four journalists said their superiors had pressured them to cut coverage on the city's independence controversy.

This was when separatist Chan was invited to speak at the FCC in August and it later resulted in Mallet's visa not being renewed and he was forced to leave Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong Journalists Association chairman Chris Yeung Kin-hing said: "The public and journalist community are increasingly worried. Some responses are even alarming."

The annual survey was conducted between January 21-24 to 1,003 people, who gave the city an overall score of 45 out of 100, a record low since the survey started in 2013. More than one-third of the respondents (368), said Beijing's influence was their main concern, followed by self-censorship, decline in confidence in legal protection for journalists, diversity in voices, and supervision by mass media.

Ma Jian's talk in HK that was off then on was also an issue

The survey also interviewed 533 journalists between January and February, and most were worried about self-censorship, followed by Beijing's influence. The journalists gave a score of 40.9 out of 100, similar to last year.

In a question for journalists only, 112 of 516 respondents, or 22 percent, said their superiors had applied pressure for less or zero reporting about the controversy surrounding those calling for the city's separation from China.

Shirley Yam, the association's vice-president, said the number was significant.

"Our survey covered 35 news organizations. It means on average, three to four reporters in each has had that experience," she said.

Yam cited the worst scores under the press freedom index went to the prevalence of self-censorship, pressure from bosses or management, and scruples on criticizing Beijing.

"Can't you see the big picture here? Journalists find self-censorship more widespread and reports ruffling the authorities' features are more often pushed down by senior media figures."

What was Andy Hui doing in the back of a car?

It's a chilling effect but it's sadly going to continue in newsrooms across the city.

Perhaps even more depressing is that this story was dwarfed by the report of Cantopop star Sammi Cheng Sau-man's husband Andy Hui Chi-on was caught on camera kissing another woman in the back of a car...