Hong Kong's Beijing-appointed security agency has summoned international journalists, warning them not to cause trouble in their reporting on the city's deadly apartment complex fire. The move comes as criticism of the government's handling of the disaster mounts.
In a meeting with senior reporters from outlets including the New York Times and Agence France-Presse, an official accused foreign media of tainting the government's image by spreading false information and distorting facts. However, no specific examples were given or discussed during the meeting.
The Office for Safeguarding National Security (OSNS) later released a statement online, claiming that some foreign media outlets had "disregarded facts" and "spread false information", despite a lack of evidence to support these claims.
Critics say the move is an attempt by Beijing to silence international journalists and stifle criticism of its handling of the disaster. The fire, which killed at least 159 people in November, has sparked widespread outrage over substandard construction materials used in the building's renovation.
The OSNS statement urged journalists to "not cross the legal red line", but failed to provide any concrete evidence or details on what actions are considered "trouble-making". Instead, it warned of consequences for those who fail to comply with its instructions.
The move has raised concerns about Hong Kong's already fragile press freedom and its ability to operate independently. The city's national security law, passed in 2020, gave Beijing sweeping powers to curb dissent and limit criticism of the government.
As tensions continue to simmer over the disaster and its aftermath, international journalists have been warned not to rock the boat. However, critics say that such warnings are an attempt by Beijing to silence legitimate voices of dissent and accountability.
In a meeting with senior reporters from outlets including the New York Times and Agence France-Presse, an official accused foreign media of tainting the government's image by spreading false information and distorting facts. However, no specific examples were given or discussed during the meeting.
The Office for Safeguarding National Security (OSNS) later released a statement online, claiming that some foreign media outlets had "disregarded facts" and "spread false information", despite a lack of evidence to support these claims.
Critics say the move is an attempt by Beijing to silence international journalists and stifle criticism of its handling of the disaster. The fire, which killed at least 159 people in November, has sparked widespread outrage over substandard construction materials used in the building's renovation.
The OSNS statement urged journalists to "not cross the legal red line", but failed to provide any concrete evidence or details on what actions are considered "trouble-making". Instead, it warned of consequences for those who fail to comply with its instructions.
The move has raised concerns about Hong Kong's already fragile press freedom and its ability to operate independently. The city's national security law, passed in 2020, gave Beijing sweeping powers to curb dissent and limit criticism of the government.
As tensions continue to simmer over the disaster and its aftermath, international journalists have been warned not to rock the boat. However, critics say that such warnings are an attempt by Beijing to silence legitimate voices of dissent and accountability.
. It's heartbreaking to think about all those people who lost their lives in that tragic apartment fire. The fact that the government is now trying to silence international journalists just makes me angry 
. How can they not be transparent and honest about what happened? It's like they're trying to hide something.
. Freedom of speech and press freedom are essential for holding those in power accountable. I feel like the international community should speak out against this move and support Hong Kong's journalists who are trying to tell their stories 
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. This whole situation is a huge red flag for me, and I hope people will keep shining a light on this until some real changes are made 
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The fact that no specific examples were given during the meeting is a major red flag. It's like they're trying to silence criticism without having any real substance to back it up. 
I need more info before I believe this is just about protecting the government's image...
- what's next? They're gonna tell us what words to use too? 
Like, no one wants to get a fine from the OSNS just for asking tough questions... it's like they think we're little kids who can't handle the truth. 
- like, if journalists are being warned not to report on things they know are true... what does that say about the city's ability to hold its leaders accountable? 
. "Don't cause trouble, just report what we tell you"? Sounds like basic journalistic ethics 101, but hey, who needs those when you've got a strong enough PR machine? 
. I mean, what's next? A memo on how to do basic math correctly? 
. Newsflash: we've got newsrooms full of smart, savvy journalists who won't be silenced that easily 
. Bring it on! 
. These international journalists are just doing their job, reporting on what's happening, but now Beijing is warning them not to "rock the boat" 
? What even does that mean? Are we talking about some secret formula for silence or something 
? It's like they're trying to gaslight us into thinking it's all okay when it's far from it. I remember this one time in my hometown, a journalist was arrested for reporting on corruption... and now this is happening in Hong Kong 
... newsflash: you don't get to dictate what we can and can't report on 
IT'S LIKE BEIJING IS TRYING TO CONTROL EVERYTHING IN HONG KONG, INCLUDING THE WAY NEWS IS REPORTED. FOREIGN JOURNALISTS SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO THEIR JOB WITHOUT BEING THREATENED BY SOMEONE JUST BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT BUYING INTO THE OFFICIAL LINE. AND IT'S GETTING WORSE BY THE DAY. FIRST, YOU'VE GOT THESE DEADLY APARTMENT COMPLEX FIRES, NOW YOU'VE GOT THE GOVERNMENT TELLING JOURNALISTS TO "NOT CROSS THE Legal RED LINE". WHO DECIDES WHAT THAT IS ANYWAY? 
Like, did they not think the fire would happen because of those substandard construction materials?! 
It's like, basic math, people! Don't try to cover it up now. The OSNS statement is basically saying that if you don't play by their rules, you'll get in trouble... how cool is that? 
Can't wait to see what other "rules" they come up with next! 
. Like, if there's something fishy going on, it's the reporter's duty to investigate and report it 
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the lack of concrete evidence and details from the OSNS statement just makes it more suspicious 
we need transparency and accountability here, not attempts to stifle criticism 
We need transparency and accountability here, not a bunch of vague warnings from the OSNS. It's like they're saying "do us a favor" instead of giving us actual facts to work with. 
? That's just ridiculous. It sounds like a classic case of governments trying to silence dissenting voices and maintain their grip on power 
. And it seems like Beijing is trying to do the opposite – stifle criticism and limit press freedom 
#PressFreedomMatters #HoldThePowerAccountable
international journalists are always lookin to stir up trouble, its not like they're just tryna do their job. gotta keep in mind theres a bigger picture here, china's got lots of say in what goes on in hong kong and theyre just tryna maintain balance and stability 
dont be so quick to judge
this is so worrying... like how can a gov't just tell ppl what they can & cant report on? 
and whats with the vague warning about "not crossing the legal red line"? 
and this reminds me, isnt there like a universal human right or something to be able to report on whatever u want without fear of reprisal? 
like how can they just silence ppl if they're trying to expose some serious issues? 
like how do you even 'cause trouble' in reporting on a deadly building fire that's already sparked outrage? 
or the corruption scandal? 
this whole thing just smells like Beijing trying to cover its own behind 