A police officer has displayed a journalist’s Hong Kong identity card during a live streaming video.
It came after a similar case last month where an officer displayed the identity card and press pass of Stand News Deputy Assignment Editor Ronson Chan during a protest live stream in Tai Po.
On Sunday, the Stand News journalist in question was being searched by officers in Admiralty ahead of a protest rally in Chater Garden. During the search, an officer displayed the identity card in front of a camera for around a minute as the reporter live-streamed.
The journalist then used his phone to conduct a second live stream. Another officer took his phone and broke the device’s screen.
Police Public Relations Branch Chief Superintendent Kwok Ka-chuen said on an RTHK radio programme on Monday that the journalist was waving his phone and was not cooperating during the search. He also said that the journalist was not wearing a press vest during the incident.
“In the beginning, we did not realise the man being searched was a journalist, and we did not realise that he was conducting a live stream with his phone. We attach importance to privacy, and he can file a complaint if he was not pleased,” he said.
Stand News expressed “strong disappointment” over the statement and said it will assist the affected journalist in filing a complain with the force.
“We strongly condemn the police for intentionally interfering with the media’s work. We urge the police top management to restrain frontline staff more strictly,” it said.
The Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) also strongly condemned the incident.
“The HKJA sternly urges the police to explain why they displayed personal information in front of a camera, and urges the police to stop conducting any act harming journalists and press freedom in the name of law enforcement,” it said.
The Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data Stephen Wong said that his office will follow up on both incidents relating to identity cards being displayed in live streams.
“The PCPD will, as always, follow up and enforce the law in every case in accordance with the powers conferred by the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (PDPO) in a fair and impartial manner, without fear or favour,” he said.
