Hong Kong’s domestic national security law risks ‘irrevocable damage’ to press freedom with broadly defined offences: journalism group

Hong Kong Journalists Association calls for incorporation of public interest defence into home-grown national security legislation

‘Journalism serves to enhance transparency in public governance, as well as promote good governance. The press is not a threat to national security,’ association says

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Journalists attend a press conference on the city’s domestic national security law. Public consultation on the legislation wraps up on Wednesday. Photo: Robert Ng

Published: 4:51pm, 24 Feb 2024Updated: 12:41pm, 25 Feb 2024

The broad definition of offences under Hong Kong’s proposed domestic national security law risks causing “irrevocable damage” to press freedom, a major local journalist group has warned, urging authorities to create safeguards for the media.

The Hong Kong Journalists Association on Saturday called for the government to protect actions taken in the public interest under the law, adding the legislation should include a requirement for proof of harm to national security and intent to undertake such actions.

“Journalism serves to enhance transparency in public governance, as well as promote good governance. The press is not a threat to national security,” it wrote in a submission to the Security Bureau.

“[The association] urges the government to provide sufficient protection for the press in its draft bill and avoid causing irrevocable damage to press freedom.”

Elsie Leung, former vice-chairwoman of the Basic Law Committee, warns the addition of a public interest defence may be misinterpreted and cause some people to unknowingly fall foul of the law. Photo: Jelly Tse

Elsie Leung Oi-sie, former vice-chairwoman of the Basic Law Committee, said there were advantages and disadvantages to including a public interest defence in the legislation.