HONG KONG, Sept 13 (Askume) – Dozens of Hong Kong journalists and their families have been harassed and threatened online and in person over the past three months starting in June, the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) said on Friday.
Sammi Cheng, chairwoman of the Hong Kong Journalists Association, said threats and sharing false and defamatory content undermines Hong Kong’s press freedom and must not be tolerated.
“I think this is the worst harassment of journalists in Hong Kong’s history,” Cheng said. “We are making a strong statement today that we do not accept this behavior.”
“Hong Kong is a society governed by the rule of law and no one should be intimidated, humiliated or subjected to so-called harassment,” deputy security director Cheuk Wai told media on Friday.
He urged anyone feeling such pressure to report it to law enforcement.
He said the journalists, media companies and organisations targeted included the executive committee of the Journalists Association and 13 media, including Hong Kong Free Press, InMediaHK, Hong Kong Special Topics and two journalism education institutes.
The Hong Kong Journalists Association said at least 15 journalists, their families and colleagues – including landlords, charities, schools and private businesses – had received anonymous complaints in emails or letters from self-proclaimed “patriots”.
The alleged threat comes as authorities face a years-long national security crackdown following massive pro-democracy protests in 2019. Critics say it violates the 1997 agreement under which Britain handed over Hong Kong to China, which guaranteed the territory’s autonomy.
The Hong Kong Journalists Association said some journalists or their colleagues were targeted in private Facebook groups. Cheng said that in at least four cases, trolls used Facebook and Wikipedia to issue violent threats, including death threats.
Hong Kong police said they would handle every case in accordance with the law.
The Wikimedia Trust and Safety Foundation and Facebook owner Meta did not respond to Askume requests for comment.
Two editors who were allegedly targeted were recently convicted of sedition, the first sedition case against a journalist or editor since 1997.
The Hong Kong Journalists Association said it had identified an abusive user and reported it to the police and the Office of the Personal Data Privacy Commissioner (PCPD). The PCPD said it had received the complaint and was processing it.
Tom Grundy, director of the Hong Kong Free Press, told Askume that his landlord and local real estate agency had received anonymous letters containing “unfounded allegations and threats” that would cause “collateral damage” if he was not evicted.
InMedia told Askume that one of its staff had received disturbing messages. “Hong Kong Special” said it was “shocked by the varying levels of harassment faced by our journalists and their relatives”.
“We hope the public will take journalism seriously, support our work, and report without fear,” the statement said.
