'Change In Media Accreditation Fair And Objective'

The head of the Police Public Relations Branch, Kenneth Kwok, has defended a change in the force’s accreditation policy regarding journalists, saying it’s fair, objective, and more transparent.

The police announced on Tuesday that it would only recognise media organisations which have been registered with the government’s Information Services Department, as well as those who’re from “internationally known” foreign media.

Accreditation from press associations such as the Hong Kong Journalists Association and the Hong Kong Press Photographers Association, meanwhile, would no longer be accepted.

The decision sparked outrage in the media sector, which accused the force of trying to clamp down on press freedom.

But speaking on an RTHK radio programme, the head of the Police PR branch denied that accusation and called it a “misunderstanding”, saying there are hundreds of media organisations on the force’s updated list.

“We’re talking about more than 200 media organisations registered with the Information Services Department and all reporters, photographers and crew working for them. This definition is more transparent and wide. It’s a misunderstanding to say the definition had been narrowed”, Kwok said.

He added that the accreditation system is “fair and objective” as it is based on the registration system adopted by the Information Services Department.

He dismissed concerns that freelancers and student reporters would be barred from covering events in future, saying they could continue to do so in public places.

However, when the police conduct press conferences and set up cordon lines where they couldn't let everybody in, officers would adopt the new policy.

Kwok said the change is long overdue as it’s becoming increasingly difficult for officers to identify who are journalists during public events. He cited a protest at a shopping mall in Yuen Long, where there were less than 10 participants but more than 150 journalists.

Meanwhile, the chief editor of Polytechnic University’s student newspaper said he’s expecting more obstruction from the police in future.

Chan Wai-nok told the same programme that the new policy is unreasonable, adding that alternative media play an important role in society as they’re often able to capture news and footage missed by mainstream outlets.

He said reporters from the student newspaper will continue to work on the field but they've been asked to pay heed to personal safety.