HKJA Urges Police Chief To Live Up To His Word

The Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) has called on Police Commissioner Chris Tang to live up to his promises and immediately order frontline officers to stop harassing and harming reporters.

In a statement, the association said reporters covering the noon protest in Central were obstructed from filming, searched and even shot with pepper balls.

It said reports showed a group of journalists were rounded up and only those holding HKJA passes were let go, while others were detained.

The HKJA said that a number of reporters were asked to read out their names and identity card numbers before a camera, and some riot police had ordered reporters to stop their live broadcasts.

It said that during a meeting with the police chief and three other media groups on Thursday last week, Tang said that his officers will "make the best effort to ensure the reporting work of reporters. You (journalists) have the freedom and right to do reporting if that does not affect or obstruct the police."

The HKJA said they hoped Tang "meant what he said".

The group said people don't have to register with them to become a journalist, adding that the commissioner also agreed that both reporters and the general public have the right to film in public places.