Hong Kong's free media fears censorship with China’s national security law

China’s controversial national security law has started showing its impact on freedom and rights of Hong Kongers after publicly funded brocaster Rio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) reportedly decided to axe one of its most popular shows. RTHK’s satirical show Heliner was kwn for its humorous takes on police and ministration for almost three deces but brocast was suspended hours after Communications Authority (CA) issued a warning for allegedly insulting police force.

In February, Heliner carried a segment “Police Farce Report” in which a police officer was shown standing in a large garb container with his hands covered in plastic. segment was created to highlight plight of frontline medical workers as y were struggling to get proper PPE while fighting coronavirus and  police were provided with protective biohazard suits and gas masks.

show attracted formal complaints and CA ruled that complaints in respect of accuracy of factual contents and insult to police were substantiated. Increasing interference of Beijing in Hong Kong’s affairs has severely impacted media freedom as  semi-automous region fell to 80th place in 2020 in its Global Press Freedom Index, down from 18th in 2002.

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Lam unmoved

However, chief executive Carrie Lam has claimed that Hong Kong has always been able to uphold and preserve freedom of speech and expression and freedom to protest in last 23 years. During a press conference, she asserted that it is best thing to see legislation and understand why Hong Kong needs it at this point in time.

residents have been protesting against a national security law that was presented by National People’s Congress (NPC) and later approved by China’s rubber-stamp parliament. Several countries including United States, Britain, Australia, and Cana have raised concern over new legislation.

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(Imag: AP)