Security Chief Targets Journalist Association

Tang wants HKJA to reveal member list and financial records

 

Hong Kong Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung is very busy these days, constantly on the attack on various targets, and now it's the Hong Kong Journalists' Association.

In a war of words, Tang has accused the HKJA for leading young people astray, going into schools to recruit students as reporters and claiming they aren't properly trained, and wants the professional body to release the membership list and financial records for further scrutiny.

The HKJA hit back, saying Tang's argument is "illogical", saying divulging who its members are would violate privacy laws, and that student reporters only make up 13 percent of its member base.

Chan (left) rebutted Tang's attacks on Wednesday

While speaking to reporters in the Legislative Council Tang said: "My understanding is that journalists need to be trained and accredited professionally, and have certain professional beliefs, values and ethics... If a student can be a student journalist, then how professional are the journalists under the association?"

Tang rebutted and said: "[The HKJA] should explain, for example, in the past five years, did you visit any school and promote your own political ideas?" he said.

"To alleviate public doubts, the association should also consider disclosing the [amount of] money it has received in recent years, as well as the sources of that founding, and whether it was donated by foreign political organizations or people with clear political inclinations."

It is Tang who trying to sow the seeds of doubt, not the public. He is trying to apply pressure to the HKJA in a bid to make it fold, but the group is standing firm -- for now.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the association responded: "We are of the view that Tang's suggestion is illogical and simply incomprehensible. We hope the secretary can understand that the media agency a member works for is also part of his or her personal data.

Chan says HK still has freedom of the press

"We cannot disclose a member's personal data without his or her consent. [Tang's request] is no different than asking us to breach the privacy law."

The HKJA said it has 486 members, 331 are full members, 22 associate members, and 34 public relations members. There are also 56 student members and 43 retired or permanent members. The association did not disclose any names or the media agencies their members were from.

In a separate briefing, HKJA chairman Ronson Chan said the association did not receive any overseas funding.

"We have annual reports and our account statements are audited and furnished annually to the Registry of Trade Unions. If Tang would like to have a look, he can approach the labour secretary for help and there is no need for him to request us publicly to do so," Chan said.

Touche.

He also rejected Tang's suggestion the HKJA was "infiltrating" schools to recruit students.

Chan said that freedom of the press was guaranteed under the Basic Law, and that "all citizens", including schoolchildren and undergraduates, enjoyed the right to undertake reporting tasks in public areas, though he advised them not to put themselves in dangerous situations. 

"What is important is not who is there to cover the event, but what the reporter is doing there and how he or she deals with the situation," Chan said.

Tang accused HKJA of recruiting student reporters

He also suggested Tang be mindful of his comments.

"Tang is a senior official. Is he trying to threaten us or exert pressure on us or just offer some gentle reminders?

"The journalists association has not breached the national security law. We have nothing to fear. We will not easily give up and disband in the face of pressure and we will stay put until the very last minute." 

Back in 2019 the HKJA held a fundraising dinner and at least nine of the table sponsors were related to the government, like the MTR, AsiaWorld-Expo, Ocean Park, Hong Kong Disneyland, Urban Renewal Authority, and Hospital Authority. 

Other big corporate sponsors include New World Development, Kowloon Motor Bus Company, PCCW-HKT, Sino Group and Standard Chartered Bank.

Maybe Tang should investigate them too for having links with the HKJA?