On December 6, 2025, the Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) convened a meeting with leaders of foreign news organizations and international correspondents based in Hong Kong. The discussions focused on recent coverage of the Wang Fuk Court housing complex fire and the upcoming 2025 Legislative Council (LegCo) election.
The office expressed serious concern over what it described as misleading and false information in several foreign media reports. Officials argued that some outlets had distorted the HKSAR government's disaster relief efforts, interfered with the electoral process, and fueled social divisions, detracting from community solidarity and empathy for those affected by the fire.
Highlighting the legal framework, the office reminded attendees of their obligations under the Basic Law of the HKSAR, the national security law in Hong Kong, and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance. Journalists were urged to uphold objectivity, fairness, truthfulness, and accuracy, and to avoid fabricating or disseminating unfounded claims.
"No media organization should use press freedom as a pretext to interfere in China's internal affairs or the HKSAR's local governance," the office stated. It emphasized that it would continue to monitor reporting closely while facilitating legitimate news coverage and supporting foreign journalists' rights to operate lawfully.
This dialogue highlights the delicate balance between media oversight and press freedom in a global city. As Hong Kong prepares for its December LegCo election, foreign correspondents face heightened scrutiny, navigating evolving regulations and ethical responsibilities in their coverage.
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Central gov't office urges media to avoid false reports on Hong Kong
cgtn.com
