A Hong Kong press union has warned that the stalking of journalists has a “chilling effect” on press freedom, after the Security Bureau slammed the group over “groundless speculations” that law enforcement may have tailed reporters. File photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. HKJA said on Monday that it condemned reported cases of stalking and harassment of journalists from local news outlet InMedia, calling on authorities to step up investigations.

“The HKJA points out that the purpose of stalking journalists is never limited to the individuals involved,” it said in a Chinese-language statement. “The psychological pressure created makes every journalist present realise they could be under surveillance at any time, thereby invisibly restricting press freedom. This ‘chilling effect’ is the greatest harm caused by such stalking and harassment.” The press union’s statement was issued nearly a week after the Security Bureau responded to its letter seeking “clarification” on the incidents.

On April 5, the HKJA asked the bureau to state explicitly whether “Hong Kong’s law enforcement agencies had ever conducted any surveillance or tailing operations against InMedia journalists or any other media workers, either by law enforcement personnel or outsourced to third parties.” The Security Bureau replied in a letter on April 7, saying it “strongly condemns [the HKJA’s] repeated insinuations that the aforementioned suspected stalking and harassment were perpetrated by law enforcement agencies.” “Making groundless speculations without verification not only damages the reputation of all law enforcement officers but also undermines the professional image of journalists, who are expected to base their reporting and commentary on facts,” it said. Regret over gov’t’s response Local independent news site InMedia said on April 3 that its reporters had received harassing text messages “in recent months” and were suspected of being followed after work by unidentified individuals “in recent days.” Unknown individuals allegedly tailed reporters after public hearings held by the Wang Fuk Court fire independent committee, according to the news outlet.

InMedia also said it had filed two police reports. Selina Cheng, the chairperson of the Hong Kong Journalists Association, on September 13, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP.

In the Monday statement, the HKJA expressed regret over the bureau’s response, as it “did not directly deny whether law enforcement agencies had launched investigations or tracking operations against the journalists in this case, nor did it promise to seriously follow up on InMedia’s police reports.” The press union also mentioned that journalists from multiple media organisations, including HKFP, and their family members were stalked and harassed in 2023 and 2024. “To date, no perpetrators have been brought to justice, and the authorities have not released any findings from their investigations,” it said. The HKJA also urged the bureau to clearly state its opposition to all acts of stalking, intimidation, and harassment targeting journalists.