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FCC Statement Condemning Increasing Acts of Violence Against Journalists

FCC Statement Condemning Increasing Acts of Violence Against Journalists

The Foreign Correspondents’ Club strongly condemns the increasing number of incidents involving police violence against journalists covering protests in Hong Kong. Assaults of journalists are becoming more serious, undermining the media’s ability to do their jobs and Hong Kong’s commitment to freedom of the press. 

The FCC expresses grave concern over multiple eyewitness reports and widely circulating video footage that appear to show police officers spraying pepper spray at close range at numerous reporters and photographers on Saturday night around 10:30p.m. on Nathan Road, including spraying at least two journalists directly in the eyes. Accounts appear to show journalists with press identification—clearly marked vests and helmets–in an area with no protesters directly present near the scene. They did not appear to be interfering with police operations.

Hong Kong, September 7 2019. Photo: Hong Kong Journalists Association. Hong Kong, September 7, 2019. Photo: Hong Kong Journalists Association.

These actions by members of the Hong Kong Police Force are unacceptable and constitute a violation of the right under Hong Kong law for journalists to cover protests free of intimidation or violence by authorities.

The repeated and consistent reports of police violence against journalists covering the protests have become too many for the Hong Kong government and the international community to ignore and seem to be increasing in frequency. Given this deteriorating situation, the FCC reiterates its demand that the government follow the advice of numerous prominent Hong Kong organizations, along with civic and political leaders, and establish an independent commission of inquiry to investigate all forms of violence and intimidation directed at journalists since the start of the protests in June. We urge that such investigations be thorough and transparent.

The FCC also calls on the Commissioner of Police to publicly address these worrying reports and to clearly state that the HKPF respects freedom of the press and the right of journalists to cover events, including police operations, unfettered and free of violence and threats.

The FCC regrets that the Police Commissioner Stephen Lo Wai Chung has failed to respond to its letter to him of August 11 proposing measures that could rebuild confidence between the police and the media, and inviting him to speak at the club.

The Foreign Correspondents’ Club stands with the Hong Kong Journalists Association, the Hong Kong Photojournalist Association and with freelance and unaffiliated journalists in condemning acts of violence directed at the media and in demanding the Hong Kong government and police respect Hong Kong’s long tradition of press freedom.

FCC Hong Kong joins FCCC in condemning expulsion from China of WSJ’s Chun Han Wong

The FCC Hong Kong joins the FCCC in condemning Chun Han Wong’s de facto expulsion from China. It calls on the Chinese government to respect media freedom and to allow foreign correspondents to work freely without fear of punitive measures such as non-renewal of their visas. 
FCCC issued the following statement:
The Foreign Correspondents’ Club of China is saddened and angered to learn that Wall Street Journal reporter Chun Han Wong has been effectively expelled from China after authorities declined to renew his press credentials.
As far as the FCCC is aware, Wong is the sixth journalist to leave China under such circumstances since 2013. Many of those who have been evicted are talented and professional correspondents who have sought to understand China and tell its stories in a factual and unbiased fashion.
The FCCC notes with particular concern a statement from China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in which it accuses “a few foreign reporters” of “maliciously tarnishing China,” adding: We don’t welcome such reporters.” It was Chinese president Xi Jinping himself who, in 2017, said “we encourage reporters to travel and see more of China… to learn about and continue to report on more aspects of China.”Expulsions of journalists from China amount to an extreme attempt by Chinese authorities to punish news organizations that conduct factual work that does not cast the country or its leadership in a flattering light. Foreign correspondents are not propaganda workers, and should not be treated as such.
The FCCC condemns in the strongest possible terms the use of visa non-renewal as a form of punishment. Such treatment of foreign correspondents runs completely counter to Chinese claims that it supports openness and inclusiveness. Such actions should raise further concerns as China prepares to host major future global events, such as the Winter Olympics in 2022.

FCCC statement on search and detention risk for journalists travelling between Hong Kong and China

The Foreign Correspondents’ Club of China has warned that journalists travelling between Hong Kong and China risk being detained and having their digital devices searched.   

“Journalists travelling through Beijing and Shenzhen have been subjected to such searches, which have in some cases involved detention of several hours”, the FCCC said in a statement.

“The FCCC strongly condemns any use of border powers by Chinese authorities to target properly-accredited journalists for search and detention” and added that “unnecessary and arbitrary searches constitute intimidation and harassment”.

It warned that “particular care” should be taken with devices that contain confidential material.

The Foreign Correspondents’ Club of China has received multiple reports in recent days and weeks of Chinese border officials detaining journalists and searching their digital devices when travelling between the mainland and Hong Kong.

Journalists travelling through Beijing and Shenzhen have been subjected to such searches, which have in some cases involved detention of several hours. Officials have searched phones, cameras and laptops belonging to journalists who work for at least five organizations headquartered in North America and Europe. In at least one instance, a correspondent was barred from using a phone to notify others of the detention.

The FCCC strongly condemns any use of border powers by Chinese authorities to target properly-accredited journalists for search and detention. In some cases, officials have cited non-existent visa problems as grounds for detention.

Unnecessary and arbitrary searches constitute intimidation and harassment and hamper correspondents’ ability to report freely and openly in mainland China and Hong Kong.

The FCCC also warns correspondents to be mindful of the possibility of search and detention when returning to mainland China from Hong Kong. Particular care should be taken with electronic devices that may contain confidential material.

FCC expresses ‘grave concern’ over attack on journalist at Hong Kong Airport protest

The Foreign Correspondents’ Club expresses grave concern over the attack by protesters on a journalist at Hong Kong International Airport on Tuesday, August 13, 2019.

A reporter from Global Times was assaulted and detained by people protesting at the airport who tied his hands with plastic straps.  

We call on protesters to respect the right under Hong Kong law of journalists, regardless of nationality or news organisation, to cover events free from intimidation or violence.

The FCC has become alarmed by the growing number of reports of violence toward journalists by protesters, including attacks last week on vehicles belonging to TV station TVB.

Attacks on members of the media doing their job are unacceptable, regardless of the allegiance or views of the perpetrators.

We have called on the Hong Kong Police Force to respect the freedom of the press and the right of journalists to cover events, including protests and other police operations, unfettered and free of violence and threats.

Those who have concerns with a news organisation’s coverage can express their views on social media, in comments sections and other forums, but under no circumstances should they harass frontline journalists and block them from doing their job.

The Foreign Correspondents’ Club stands with the Hong Kong Journalists Association, the Hong Kong Photojournalist Association and with freelance and unaffiliated journalists in condemning acts of violence directed at the media and in demanding protesters, the Hong Kong government and the police all respect Hong Kong’s long tradition of press freedom.

The FCC’s open letter to the Hong Kong police commissioner Stephen Lo Wai Chung can be found here.

香港外國記者會對於2019 年8月13日（周二）有傳媒在香港國際機場受到襲擊表示嚴重關注。

《環球時報》的一名記者遭到機場抗議人士的襲擊和拘留，並被他們用膠索帶綁手。

我們呼籲示威者尊重本港法律為所有不同國籍及傳媒機構的記者提供保障，讓他們在進行采訪時免受恐嚇及被暴力對待。

香港外國記者會對愈來愈多有關示威者暴力對待記者的報導感到震驚，包括上周無綫電視台的採訪輛車受到襲擊。

無論犯事者所擁護的觀點如何，在傳媒工作者在履行職責時襲擊他們都是不可接受的。

我們已經呼籲香港警察尊重新聞自由，讓記者能夠在不受阻擋及沒有暴力威脅的情況下采訪示威和警方行動及其他事件。

關注個別新聞機構的報導的人士可以在社交媒體、網上評論區和其他論壇表達他們的觀點，但在任何情况下都不應該騷擾前線記者及阻礙他們工作。

香港外國記者會與香港記者協會、香港攝影記者協會以及自由撰稿人和獨立記者一起譴責針對傳媒的暴力行為，並一致要求示威者、香港政府和警察尊重香港長期以來新聞自由的傳統。

香港外國記者會致警務處處長盧偉聰的公開信可以在此下載：

https://www.fcchk.org/fcc-letter-to-hong-kong-commissioner-of-police-lo-wai-chung-stephen/

FCC letter to Hong Kong Commissioner of Police, Lo Wai Chung, Stephen

Commissioner Lo Wai Chung, Stephen

Commissioner of Police

Police Headquarters

Arsenal Street

Wanchai, HK

Monday, 12 August 2019

 

An open letter to Hong Kong Commissioner of Police, Stephen Lo Wai-chung

Dear Commissioner Lo,

The Foreign Correspondents’ Club, Hong Kong is greatly concerned about the deterioration in relations between the police and media since the onset of the anti-extradition bill protests in June. We are particularly concerned at the escalation of violence at numerous locations across the city over the weekend of August 10 and 11, 2019.

We appreciate the efforts of the police to improve transparency by holding regular press conferences. However, we feel the most pressing issues concern the actions of some frontline officers and their interaction with the media whilst covering protests. Journalists should not interfere with police work and neither should the police deliberately hinder nor prevent journalists from doing their job. With this in mind, we offer the following concrete suggestions for your consideration.

1.          Police officers should refrain from shining lights directly at news photographers and camera operators.

2.          Officers should assume that those at a protest who are wearing jackets and helmets clearly marked “Press”, “記者” etc. are actually journalists and not imposters. The Hong Kong government does not issue an official press card. As such journalists can only produce cards issued by their employer or affiliated organisation.

3.          Police should exercise much greater restraint in the use of tear gas. The victims of excessive tear gas deployment in residential areas include residents, bystanders and journalists covering the demonstrations as well as the protesters themselves. The firing of tear gas rounds inside Kwai Fong MTR Station on Sunday, August 11, 2019, was particularly egregious and posed a serious health risk.

4.          Police officers should, whenever possible, ensure that their ID is visible and present their warrant card on request if needed. We are aware that many officers are concerned at possible doxing attacks, the publishing of personal contact details, but we would remind them that they are public servants who should be held accountable for their actions.

5.          Liaison officers should be embedded in every tactical unit deployed at each protest site. It is important, moreover, that they have the authority to brief the media on tactical operations and to exercise some measure of control over those operations.

6.          Liaison officers should give journalists advance warning of any police action that might endanger those covering the event so that they can move to a safer location.

7.          If journalists are injured, police should ensure that they are provided with swift and unhindered medical attention.

8.          Police officers should respond promptly to any incident in which members of the public and journalists come under attack from organised gangs, and ensure the perpetrators are arrested.

9.          If journalists have a legitimate complaint against particular officers, the liaison officer should ensure those complaints are investigated in an efficient and transparent manner.

10.      If police officers are found to be negligent in their duty, they should be disciplined, and the results of the investigation made public so that the complainant can be satisfied the case was handled properly.

11.      We acknowledge that everyone is working under extremely stressful conditions, but it is important that frontline police officers remain calm and not overreact to provocation from protesters. When talking to the press, they should make requests in a clear, concise manner and not use insulting and obscene language or make threatening gestures.

We welcome any comments you might have on these suggestions, as well as any thoughts you have on the actions that journalists can take to improve relations with the police. We also encourage you to reach out to other press organisations, such as the Hong Kong Journalists Association, and engage in a meaningful dialogue with them.

We extend once again our open invitation to you and your colleagues to discuss these issues at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club either in a public or a more private setting.

This letter will be made public in the hope that a wider cross-section of media professionals and other stakeholders can engage in this important discussion and offer their own insights.

Yours sincerely,

 

 

 

Jodi Schneider

President, on behalf of the Board of Governors and Press Freedom Committee of the Foreign Correspondents’ Club, Hong Kong. 

 

2019年8月12日

 

致香港警務處處長盧偉聰的公開信

 

盧局長 台鑒：

 

自6月份反引渡法案示威活動開始以來，香港外國記者會一直非常關注警方與媒體關係的惡化。而8月10-11日在全市多個地方的暴力升級特別令人關注。

雖然警方透過舉行定期新聞發佈會來提高透明度，不過我們認為最緊迫的問題涉及一些前線人員的行爲，以及他們與負責報導抗議活動的媒體之間的互動。記者不應干涉警察工作，同時警察也不應故意妨礙或阻止記者工作。考慮到這點，本會提供以下具體建議予以參考： 

1.     警務人員應避免用强光直接照向新聞攝影師。

2.     警方應該假設那些穿著明顯標有“Press”或“記者”背心和頭盔的人是記者，而不是冒名的頂替者。香港政府並沒有發行官方記者證的，所以記者只能提供由其雇主或附屬組織發行的證件。

3.     警方在使用催淚彈時應該更加克制。在居民住宅區釋放過多催淚彈的主要受害者是居民，旁觀者，報導示威活動的記者以及抗議人士。在2019年8月12日晚上在葵芳地鐵站內發射催淚彈的舉動尤其過分及構成嚴重的健康損害。

4.     警務人員應盡可能確保其身份證明放在顯眼的地方，並在有需要時出示其委任証明。我們理解很多警員都擔心可能會受到攻擊，或個人私穩被發布，但警務人員作爲公職人員, 需要對自己的行為負責。

5.     每個示威地點部署的每個戰術單位都應該嵌入聯絡警官。他們需要有權向媒體簡報戰術行動，並確保這些戰術行動採取一定程度的剋制。

6.     聯絡警官應向記者提前預警，讓他們能在可能危及他們的警察行動發生前能夠移到一個較安全的地方。

7.     記者受傷時，警方應確保他們獲得迅速及不受阻礙的醫療照顧。

8.     警察應盡快回應任何公眾和記者受到有組織幫派襲擊的事件，並確保肇事者被捕。

9.     如果記者對任何官員作出合法投訴，警方應確保以有效和透明的方式調查這些投訴。

10.   如果發現警察疏忽職守，他們應該受到紀律處分，公開調查結果，以便投訴人能夠對案件得到妥善處理感到滿意。

11.   本會承認每個人都在極度緊張的條件下工作，但重要的是前線警察要保持冷靜，不要對示威者的挑釁做出過度反應。在與媒體交談時，他們應該以清晰，簡潔的方式提出要求，不要使用侮辱性和淫穢語言或做出威脅性的姿勢。

本會歡迎您就這些建議發表任何意見，以及您對記者為改善與警方關係所採取的行動所持的任何想法。我們也歡迎您與其他新聞機構聯繫，例如香港記者協會，並與他們進行有意義的對話。

本會再次邀請您和同僚與外國記者會公開或在比較私人的場合下討論這些問題。 

此信是公開的，因爲本會希望廣泛的傳媒專業人士和其他持份者可以參與這一重要討論，並提供自己的見解。

此致

  

 Jodi Schneider

主席，代表香港外國記者會董事局及新聞自由委員會

Statement from the HKJA and HKPPA

The HKJA and HKPPA issued the following statement condemning attacks on journalists in North Point.

Read the statement

HKJA statement on August 5 general strike call

The Hong Kong Journalists Association has issued the following statement regarding the call for a general strike in Hong Kong on Monday, August 5.
 
Read the statement here.

HKJA and HKPPA issue statement on police violence

The Hong Kong Journalists Association and the Hong Kong Press Photographers Association issued the following statement over the police targeting of journalists after violence at a protest outside Kwai Chung police station on Tuesday, July 30.

 

 

https://www.hkja.org.hk/en/statements/joint-statement-by-hong-kong-press-photographers-association-and-hong-kong-journalists-association/

 

Amnesty International Hong Kong

 

Amnesty International issues statement over rioting charges

 

Amnesty warns that rioting charges brought against 44 protestors was a “chilling warning” to anyone considering taking part in future protests.

 

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2019/07/hong-kong-charges-protesters-chilling-warning/

 

 

FCC statement expressing grave concern over reports of police violence against journalists in Hong Kong

The Foreign Correspondents’ Club expresses grave concern over multiple eyewitness reports and widely circulating video footage that show police officers engaging in violent acts against journalists during the protest in Kwai Chung on Tuesday night.
 
The reports and video appear to show a photojournalist being shoved to the ground, reporters being chased by police officers swinging batons and police discharging pepper spray toward reporters and photographers with press identification who were observing and photographing events from a safe distance and who appeared not to be interfering with police operations. At least one journalist reportedly needed hospital treatment after being hit with pepper spray.
 
These actions by members of the Hong Kong Police Force are unacceptable and constitute a violation of the right under Hong Kong law for journalists to cover protests free of intimidation or violence by authorities.
 
The repeated and consistent reports of police violence against journalists covering the protests have become too many for the Hong Kong government to ignore. Given this deteriorating situation, the FCC reiterates its demand that the government follow the advice of numerous prominent Hong Kong organizations, along with civic and political leaders, and establish an independent commission of inquiry to investigate all forms of violence and intimidation directed at journalists since the start of the protests in June. We urge that such investigations be thorough and transparent.
 
The FCC also calls on the Commissioner of Police to publicly address these worrying reports and to clearly state that the HKPF respects freedom of the press and the right of journalists to cover events, including police operations, unfettered and free of violence and threats.
 
The Foreign Correspondents’ Club stands with the Hong Kong Journalists Association, the Hong Kong Photojournalist Association and with freelance and unaffiliated journalists in condemning acts of violence directed at the media and in demanding the Hong Kong government and police respect Hong Kong’s long tradition of press freedom.
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