This year marks the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong’s handover back to China. The Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) has learned that only a selected number of media outlets have been invited by the Information Services Department (ISD) to cover the handover’s official celebration. Similar Handover official events in the past were open to media registration without requiring invitations.

The HKJA is deeply concerned by this year’s arrangement, and is hoping to seek further information from the ISD. The HKJA has learned that at least 10 well-known local online and overseas media outlets, news agencies as well as photo wires were not invited nor allowed to sign up for the events, making them unable to report from the handover’s official events. Registration for the event is set to close tonight, June 16 at 9:00 pm. Late registration will not be accepted.

The Hong Kong Journalists Association urges the city’s authorities to be more inclusive by accepting applications from media organisations keen to attend, so that those with a considerable readership can fulfill their duty in keeping the public informed by reporting on Hong Kong’s historic moments.

Hong Kong Journalists Association
June 16, 2022