Hong Kong’s fugitive law could put press freedom at new low, says Reporters Without Borders

A proposed change to extradition law threatens the work of journalists and could drag Hong Kong’s press freedom rating to new lows lasting decades, a global media watchdog warned on Thursday.

Reporters Without Borders said Hongkongers should do all they could to oppose a government proposal to allow the transfer of fugitives on a case-by-case basis to jurisdictions the city lacks an extradition deal with, including mainland China. The group said the plan posed a threat to the rule of law.

“It may be the major concern for Hong Kong journalists and bloggers for a very long time, because it will make it legal for China to pick out any residents or foreigners they like,” said Cédric Alviani, the organisation’s East Asia bureau director.

“Had we opened a bureau in Hong Kong, we would be worried, because there would be a direct threat to our staff and myself.”

The impact would not be felt overnight but foreign media agencies could be put off setting up in Hong Kong, Alviani said, adding there was no guarantee of a fair trial in mainland China and the rule of law was questionable.