EJ Insight » Hong KongToday, 4:36 PM
Hong Kong journalists protest for press freedom. A Sino-US security commission warns that Beijing's enormous influence on Hong Kong's mass media has resulted in growing self-censorship. Photo: Internet
Press freedom in Hong Kong is deteriorating, with watchdog organizations noting Beijing’s “enormous economic and political influence” on the mass media, according to a report by US security experts.
Beijing’s indirect pressure on the media has resulted in growing self-censorship, the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission said in a report released in the US Thursday.
Some media organizations, including television, radio, and print news outlets, face accusations of self-censorship over coverage of the pro-democracy movement, it said.
This trend is highlighted by the shuffling of senior management and editors and controversial editorial practices at several of Hong Kong’s most prominent news outlets.
The report said academic freedom came under scrutiny at one of Hong Kong’s top universities.
The prolonged delay and ultimate rejection of the appointment of a University of Hong Kong administrator involved in the prodemocracy movement led many in the academic community to criticize the university governance structure.
Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying said Hong Kong’s press freedom is protected by law while media activity remains active.
He said matters relating to Hong Kong are China’s concern and foreign countries should not interfere with them.
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