[Ta Kung Pao News]The two editors-in-chief of the online media “Stand News”, Chung Pui-kuen and Lam Siu-tung, and the company that operates “Stand News”, Best Pencil (Hong Kong) Limited, were found guilty of “conspiracy to publish and/or reproduce seditious publications” in the District Court yesterday. A spokesman for the SAR government said that the conviction of all three defendants just demonstrated justice. Any person or organization that incites hatred and engages in acts and activities that endanger national security will inevitably not escape the law, and their evil deeds will definitely be punished as they deserve.
The spokesman pointed out that the Basic Law and the Hong Kong Bill of Rights protect fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, procession and demonstration. The relevant provisions of the Crimes Ordinance have clearly distinguished between illegal seditious speech and legal constructive criticism, and the relevant terms are not ambiguous. From the reasons for the court’s ruling, it can be seen that Stand News completely disregarded objective facts and violated the special responsibilities and obligations that journalists must abide by as emphasized in the International Human Rights Convention. It can be seen that the claims of individual media organizations that disregarded facts and malicious anti-China and Hong Kong rioters, foreign politicians and organizations that the ruling “suppressed” press freedom are completely untenable. In fact, the fact that the relevant individuals and organizations distorted the words and deeds that incited hatred into “journalism” is the greatest insult to Hong Kong professional journalists.
The spokesperson stressed that Hong Kong citizens, including journalists, can, as always, freely make fact-based comments or criticisms, and enjoy and exercise freedom of the press and freedom of expression in accordance with the law, without having to worry about falling into the law.
The spokesman also stressed that the Hong Kong SAR has a constitutional responsibility to safeguard national security. In this regard, the SAR Government will abide by the law and will continue to enforce the law resolutely, decisively and strictly, and make every effort to effectively prevent, stop and punish acts and activities that endanger national security.
Chen Guoji: There is no restriction on press freedom
In addition, Chief Secretary for Administration Paul Chan said at an event yesterday that the government respects and values press freedom in Hong Kong very much, and there is no restriction on press freedom. As long as journalists report according to the facts, there will be no restriction on press freedom. In fact, many daily news reports criticize the government. Cases involving suspected crimes must be tried fairly and impartially in court, and there must be sufficient evidence to convict.