Hong Kong court upholds limits on journalists’ instant access to car registry
High Court judge notes public importance and press implications, but rules the government’s handling of data requests not unlawful or unreasonable
The Hong Kong Journalists Association has lost a judicial challenge against a government decision to restrict reporters’ access to its vehicle registry, despite a ruling by the city’s top court that journalism is a valid reason for use.
Mr Justice Russell Coleman acknowledged that the case was of public importance and had a significant impact on the use of vehicle particulars for bona fide investigative journalism.
He found, however, that the policy was not unlawful and that authorities’ handling of media applications was not so unreasonable as to amount to a public law error.
The association expressed disappointment at the outcome, noting that most applications by reporters had been rejected without detailed justifications being provided.
“The present arrangement in effect tilts towards the protection of vehicle owners’ privacy without allowing inspection for bona fide investigative journalism,” it said.