<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Media Release: Hong Kong\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
July 3, 2014<\/b><\/p>\n
IFJ condemns\u00a0Ming Pao<\/i>\u00a0senior manager for violating editorial independence<\/b><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA), and the Ming Pao Union in condemning a senior executive of\u00a0Ming Pao<\/i>\u00a0newspaper for deleting, without consultation, key words from headlines about the July 1 rally for democracy.
\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
According to a statement by the Ming Pao Union, the editorial director of\u00a0Ming Pao<\/i>, Lui Ka-Ming, bypassed procedures for getting approval from the executive editor-in-chief\u00a0and the assistant to the executive editor-in-chief. Lui unilaterally stopped the printing process and replaced \u201cFighting for universal suffrage\u201d with \u201cPolice clearance action\u201d.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The rally supported calls for genuine universal suffrage and public nomination of candidates in the 2017 elections for the Chief Executive and Legislative Council.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The statement said: \u201cWe are deeply furious with Lui\u2019s unusual action. We strongly condemn it because such a manoeuvre breaches the normal practice of the editorial department. An intangible interference has finally become tangible, which sets a dangerous precedent for the paper.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Lui answered\u00a0the allegation\u00a0in an article in\u00a0Ming Pao<\/i>\u00a0on July 3. He said he discussed the change with the deputy editor-in-chief. However Lui did not say whether the deputy editor-in-chief agreed with the change and why he had deviated from the normal procedure of getting approval from\u00a0the executive editor-in-chief\u00a0and the assistant to the executive editor-in-chief.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
In January this year, during the controversial removal of\u00a0Ming Pao\u2019s<\/i>\u00a0editor-in-chief, Kevin Lau, the newspaper\u2019s editorial department claimed that Lui had intervened in the coverage of the row over the 2013 issue of Hong Kong\u2019s new free-to-air television licences. Lui denied this.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The IFJ Asia-Pacific Office said: \u201cIt is difficult to believe that Lui, a very experienced media executive, could set such a bad precedent by bypassing the paper\u2019s practices. We understand members of the editorial board have the power to determine the content of the paper but this does not mean they can abuse their power and abruptly intervene and destroy the paper\u2019s editorial independence.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
IFJ urges\u00a0Lui to speak directly to\u00a0Ming Pao<\/i>\u00a0staff, rather than giving his version in a news article. Communication and mutual trust are essential in the media industry\u00a0and it is important to ensure that no further incidents occur.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
We urge\u00a0Ming Pao\u2019s<\/i>\u00a0editor-in-chief, Cheung Kin-bor, to remind all\u00a0Ming Pao<\/i>\u00a0staff, including senior management, to defend press freedom and ensure all required practices are followed.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
We also urge all\u00a0Ming Pao<\/i>\u00a0staff to stand firm and report violations to the internal union.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Ming Pao Daily<\/i>\u00a0has a substantial reputation in the Hong Kong media industry, but it has suffered considerable turmoil in 2014. After the former editor-in-chief Kevin Lau was suddenly removed, staff formed a group and expressed their deep concern about editorial independence. About a month later, Lau suffered a brutal attack by unknown people on the street that left him unable to walk.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n
For further information contact<\/b>\u00a0IFJ Asia-Pacific on\u00a0+<\/b>61 2 9333 0950<\/b><\/b><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 131 countries<\/i><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Find the IFJ on Twitter:<\/i>\u00a0<\/i>@ifjasiapacific<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Find the IFJ on Facebook:<\/i>\u00a0<\/i>www.facebook.com\/IFJAsiaPacific<\/i><\/a><\/i><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n To unsubscribe from IFJ Asia Pacific updates reply with the subject line \u2018unsubscribe\u2019<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Media Release: Hong Kong\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 … Continue reading