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Following is a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee, to a question raised by the Hon Choy So-yuk in the Legislative Council today (June 4):
Question:
In reply to a question raised by a Member at this Council's meeting on November 21, 2007 regarding the Police sending their officers to conduct an investigation at the offices of the Oriental Press Group, the Secretary for Security said that there was absolutely no intention on the part of the Police to infringe the freedom of the press. However, I have recently received two more complaints alleging that the Police had hindered news reporting by reporters of the Group. The first complaint alleged that when a reporter of the Group was reporting on a taxi robbery at Pat Heung in Yuen Long on April 16 this year, a plain-clothed police officer provided news information only to the reporter of another newspaper organisation at the scene. The reporter of the Group subsequently lodged a complaint with the Complaint Against Police Office about the unfair treatment. The second complaint alleged that when a reporter of the Group was reporting on a criminal damage case in Ma On Shan on April 18 this year, police officers at the scene scolded him using foul language and restrained him from taking photographs. After the reporter had called the Police, a police officer said that follow-up action would be taken. However, the reporter has not received any further information so far. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(a) whether the Police have conducted any investigation on the above two complaints; if so, of the outcome, including whether it has indicated any dereliction of duty on the part of police officers; if there is such dereliction of duty on the part of police officers, of the penalties imposed on them; if no investigation has been conducted, the reasons for that;
(b) besides the Force Procedures Manual, whether the Police have issued any other guidelines to frontline police officers to guide them on how to strike a balance between conducting investigations and facilitating news reporting by the media, in order to avoid hindering the progress of investigations while ensuring that freedom of the press is protected;
(c) given that Chapter 39 of the Force Procedures Manual stipulates that "photographers and TV cameramen in particular should be given an opportunity to have vantage points; they have the right to take photographs or TV footage in a public place", how the Police ensure that frontline police officers discharge their duties in accordance with the guideline; and
(d) whether the Police have issued any guidelines requiring police officers to treat different media organisations fairly; if they have, of the details; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) The Police are investigating the two incidents mentioned in the question. Upon completion of the investigation, the Police will take follow-up action in accordance with the established procedures. If any police officer is found to have breached any regulations, the Police will follow up as appropriate (including taking disciplinary action), and will inform the complainant of the investigation results.
(b) & (c) The Force Procedures Manual contains detailed guidelines on how the Police are to deal with matters concerning news reporting by the media. The Manual provides clearly that the Police should maintain cordial relations with the news media based on mutual respect and understanding, and provide timely and accurate information to journalists within the bounds of the law. The Manual also provides guidelines on how to facilitate the media in filming, photo-taking and reporting. The guidelines in the Force Procedures Manual seek to assist frontline police officers in striking an appropriate balance between conducting investigations and facilitating news reporting by the media.
The Force Procedures Manual further provides that Force Commanders should communicate and liaise closely with the Police Public Relations Branch, so that the latter may provide assistance as appropriate, for example, in co-ordinating the arrangements for news reporting by journalists during police operations, or disseminating information to the media where police operations will not be prejudiced. Police Commanders may also consult the Police Public Relations Branch on press area arrangements, with a view to facilitating the media in filming and news reporting.
Through training courses, the Police have specifically reminded police officers of the guidelines on equal treatment to all news media and journalists. The Police also regularly remind all Police Formations of the need for strict compliance with the relevant guidelines.
(d) The Force Procedures Manual stipulates that all news media and journalists should be given equal treatment when the Police disseminate information and arrange media coverage.
Ends/Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:57
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