24 Feb 2024Channel C#3030
Article 23 legislation｜Journalists’ association concerned vague definition of “state secrets” makes it difficult to determine whether information leakers are authorised to disclose data; urges public interest to be established as statutory defence
香港記者協會周六（24日）就《基本法》第23條立法向保安局提交意見書，建議當局立法時，明文確立公眾利益，可作為法定抗辯理由，同時定罪元素須包括涉案行為對國家安全構成實質損害，以及證明被告人有危害國家安全的意圖。又表示「國家秘密」涵蓋範疇非常廣闊，且定義模糊，記者難以判斷是否危害國家安全，或擔心違法而減少相關報道，造成寒蟬效應。
The Hong Kong Journalists Association submitted a written statement to the Security Bureau on Saturday (24th) regarding legislation under Article 23 of the Basic Law. It recommended that the authorities expressly establish public interest as a statutory defence, and that the elements for a conviction include substantial harm to national security caused by the conduct in question, as well as proof that the defendant intended to endanger national security. It also said that “state secrets” covered a very broad scope and had an ambiguous definition, making it difficult for journalists to determine whether reporting would endanger national security. They might consequently reduce related reporting out of concern about breaking the law, creating a chilling effect.
23 Feb 2024集誌社#3025
Anxun files reveal theft of former HKCTU data and infiltration of HKEAA; Xiaomi power bank used to penetrate Wi-Fi system
美聯社日前報道，中國網絡安全公司上海安洵信息機密文件外洩，顯示該公司曾對英、印、馬、泰、台、港等政府部門發動網絡攻擊。香港的前職工盟、中大、科大、電盈等也有資料外洩；文件顯示，有內地安保人員曾欲取職工盟的資料。科大、中大、教大、考評局、食環署回覆《集誌社》指未發現資料洩漏、被盜或黑客活動。中國外交部昨（22日）在例行記者會回應稱「不了解」情況。
The Associated Press recently reported that confidential documents leaked from Chinese cybersecurity company Shanghai Anxun Information showed that the company had launched cyberattacks against government departments in the UK, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan and Hong Kong. Data from the former Hong Kong Confederation of Trade Unions, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and PCCW in Hong Kong had also been leaked. The documents showed that mainland security personnel had sought to obtain data from the former HKCTU. HKUST, CUHK, the Education University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority and the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department told The Collective that they had found no data leaks, theft or hacking activity. China's Foreign Ministry said at a regular press conference yesterday (22nd) that it was “not aware” of the situation.
10 Feb 2024獨媒#2975
After Repeated Printing and Rental Refusals, Hillway Ends Operations and Leaves Hong Kong; Head: “I Didn’t Want to Live in Fear Every Day”
原盼捍出版自由 歷拒印拒租等終結業離港 山道負責人：不想每日活在恐懼
Hillway, which had initially hoped to defend publishing freedom, ended its operations and left Hong Kong after facing repeated refusals to print and rent, among other difficulties. Its person in charge said: “I didn’t want to live in fear every day.”
8 Feb 2024獨媒#2960
Global Times Says Messi’s Absence May Involve ‘Political Motives’, External Forces Deliberately Seek to Embarrass Hong Kong
球王美斯缺陣國際邁阿密對港聯的表演賽，球隊交出「受傷」的解釋不被接納，各方猜測美斯在港全程「黑面」因由，內地《環球時報》就撰文稱，不能排除背後有「政治動機」。在友賽日本，《環時》發表社評稱，香港有意打造「盛事經濟」，有外部勢力故意要借美斯缺陣讓香港難堪。社評又語帶脅迫，稱阿根廷國家隊原定下月在中國踢友賽，「希望他在此之前給外界一個合理交待」。
Messi’s absence from Inter Miami’s exhibition match against Hong Kong League XI sparked speculation after the team’s explanation that he was injured was not accepted, with various parties speculating about the reason for his “sullen expression” throughout his time in Hong Kong. The mainland’s Global Times published an article saying that the possibility of “political motives” behind the incident could not be ruled out. In an editorial published during the friendly match in Japan, the Global Times said Hong Kong intended to develop a “mega-event economy” and that external forces had deliberately sought to embarrass Hong Kong by using Messi’s absence. The editorial also adopted a veiled threatening tone, saying that the Argentina national team was scheduled to play a friendly in China next month and “hoped he would give the outside world a reasonable explanation” before then.
2 Feb 2024獨媒#2931
TVB says it dismissed three employees over spreading false information to undermine governance; two arrested for dishonest use of a computer
電視廣播有限公司在聲明表示，公司掌握有力證據，顯示有員工為了獲取個人利益，以不當手法串謀、協助或教唆外部人士企圖破壞公司管治，並散播針對公司的虛假信息。
除了被捕的兩人，無綫在聲明指尚有第三名行政人員參與了「相關非法活動」，全部人的行為均嚴重違反僱傭條款，公司已即時解僱3人。無綫電視指將會全力協助警方進一步的調查工作。
Television Broadcasts Limited said in a statement that it had strong evidence showing that employees, for personal gain, had used improper means to conspire with, assist or incite external parties in attempting to undermine the company’s governance and spread false information targeting the company.
In addition to the two people arrested, TVB said a third administrative staff member had participated in the “relevant illegal activities”. The conduct of all three seriously breached their employment terms, and the company dismissed them with immediate effect. TVB said it would fully assist the police with their further investigation.
29 Jan 2024Channel C#2896
The Economist: Hong Kong’s Sinicisation Is Now Irreversible and It Is No Longer an International City
香港早前被戲稱已淪為國際金融遺址，加上外國人離開，大批內地人進駐。著名財經雜誌《經濟學人》的最新報道指出，香港變得不再是國際城市，中國化已成定局。
《經濟學人》的報道指，香港人口結構正在發生變化，擁有 750 萬人口的香港，近年約有20萬名市民離開，導致人才外流。去年政府取消嚴格的封控措施，宣布一系列「搶人才」計畫，惟2023年首11個月，香港向外國人發放8,000份簽證，但對內地人發放的簽證數量是西方人的10倍。而且去年前11月批准6萬個頂尖人才簽證中，95%發給中國人。
Hong Kong was recently jokingly described as having been reduced to an international financial ruin, while foreigners have been leaving and large numbers of people from mainland China have moved in. A recent report by the prominent financial magazine The Economist says Hong Kong is no longer an international city and that its Sinicisation is now irreversible.
The Economist reported that Hong Kong’s population structure is changing. Of its 7.5 million people, about 200,000 residents have left in recent years, resulting in a loss of talent. After the government scrapped strict lockdown measures last year, it announced a series of talent-attraction programmes. However, in the first 11 months of 2023, Hong Kong issued 8,000 visas to foreigners, while the number issued to people from mainland China was 10 times that issued to people from Western countries. Of the 60,000 top-talent visas approved in the first 11 months of last year, 95% were issued to Chinese people.
28 Jan 2024明報#2891
Nicole Kidman’s New Series Pulled in Hong Kong, Prompting Speculation After Trailer Shows Umbrella Movement Amid COVID-19 Filming in Central and Mong Kok
金像影后妮歌潔曼（Nicole Kidman）2021年8月新冠疫情期間乘坐私人飛機來港拍攝劇集《外籍人士》（Expats），獲豁免檢疫，曾引起風波；《外》劇原定本月26日在影視串流平台Prime Video（PV）播放首兩集，香港地區用戶卻未能欣賞，甚至相關頁面亦消失，據《法新社》報道，未知是否跟劇中出現雨傘運動畫面有關。本報向商經局及電檢處查詢，相關部門有否禁止美國網絡電視劇集《外籍人士》在港上映及其理據，政府發言人昨（27日）回覆，提到現時《電影檢查條例》只規管電影上映，不適用於串流或互聯網平台；又稱不評論個別商業機構的營運安排。
Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman flew to Hong Kong by private jet in August 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, to film the series 《Expats》 and was exempted from quarantine, sparking controversy. The first two episodes of 《Expats》 were scheduled to be released on the streaming platform Prime Video (PV) on the 26th of this month, but users in Hong Kong were unable to watch them, and the relevant page had also disappeared. Agence France-Presse reported that it was unclear whether this was related to footage of the Umbrella Movement in the series. This newspaper asked the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau and the Office for Film, Newspaper and Article Administration whether the relevant departments had prohibited the US web television series 《Expats》 from being released in Hong Kong and the reasons for doing so. A government spokesperson replied yesterday (27th) that the Film Censorship Ordinance currently regulates only the exhibition of films and does not apply to streaming or internet platforms, adding that the government would not comment on the operating arrangements of individual commercial organisations.
25 Jan 2024ReNews#2879
Chan Ching-sum attacks John Lee in Weibo post
曾被稱為「西環契仔」的立法會議員謝偉俊，今早在立法會批評港府「高壓執法」，被李家超嚴辭反駁；另一邊廂，在梁振英任特首期間相當活躍的愛護香港力量陳淨心，日前在個人微博發文，炮轟李家超，但文章迅速被刪除，陳淨心強調是被微博刪文。
Legislative Councillor Tse Wai-chun, who was once dubbed the “Sai Wan godson”, criticised the Hong Kong government’s “high-pressure law enforcement” at the Legislative Council this morning and was sternly rebutted by John Lee. Meanwhile, Chan Ching-sum of the Power for Hong Kong, who was highly active during Leung Chun-ying’s tenure as chief executive, published a post on her personal Weibo account in recent days attacking John Lee. The post was swiftly deleted, and Chan stressed that it had been removed by Weibo.
18 Jan 2024集誌社#2832
Licence Plate Check | The Collective Has Waited Over 10 Days for 721-Related Vehicle Records; Transport Department Says Application Lacks Information and Poses 10 Follow-up Questions
運輸署在 1 月 8 日起收緊車輛查冊，採訪新聞要查車牌只能透過「特殊情況」作書面申請，由運輸署長「把關」，在公眾利益大於車主私隱權、及社會合法權益下才會批准。《集誌社》記者在 1 月 8 日新安排實施當日，向運輸署申出書面申請查詢，在 721 元朗襲擊當晚，於鳳攸北街涉運載竹枝及白衣人到場的三輛車輛資料，以進一步了解事件發生經過和所涉及人物。
《集誌社》今早（18日）接獲運輸署回覆，指申請缺乏資料、提出十個問題，要求提供充分及詳盡的書面陳述，「包括但不限於」：詳細說明所指事件中的「重大公眾利益」具體為何；提供有關車輛在事件中的出現時間、地點及其他相關情況；車輛與「聲稱的重大公眾利益」有何關係；將如何使用資料作採訪；具體說明事件已公開的相關資料為何不足夠作出有關報道；提供保密措施的內部指引等等。《集誌社》將繼續申請索閱相關資料。
The Transport Department tightened vehicle record searches on 8 January. To search licence plates for news reporting, applicants must now submit a written application under “special circumstances”, which is subject to the Director of Transport’s scrutiny and will only be approved when the public interest outweighs the vehicle owner’s right to privacy and society’s legitimate interests. On 8 January, the day the new arrangement took effect, a reporter from The Collective submitted a written application to the Transport Department seeking information on three vehicles that were allegedly involved in transporting bamboo sticks and white-clad men to Fung Yau North Street on the night of the 721 Yuen Long attack, in order to further understand what happened and the people involved.
The Collective received a reply from the Transport Department this morning (18 January), stating that the application lacked information and posing 10 questions. It requested a sufficient and detailed written statement, “including but not limited to”: a detailed explanation of the specific “substantial public interest” involved in the event; the time, location and other relevant circumstances of the vehicles’ appearance at the event; the relationship between the vehicles and the “alleged substantial public interest”; how the information would be used for reporting; a specific explanation of why the relevant information already made public was insufficient for the proposed report; and the internal guidelines on confidentiality measures. The Collective will continue applying to inspect the relevant information.
5 Jan 2024光傳媒#2774
Hong Kong Police Strongly Condemn Radio Free Asia Report on Rupert Dover: It Should Not Provide Criminals a Platform for False Statements
香港警察昨（4日）於社交媒體發布聲明，指《自由亞洲電台》於本月3日一篇題為「鎮壓反送中外籍『主將』陶輝退休 許智峯促交待612開槍決定」的報道嚴重失實，該報道指在反修例事件中被視為「武力鎮壓主將」的陶輝（Rupert Dover）即將退休，並訪問了前立法會議員許智峯，許促陶輝交待2019年6月12日放催淚彈的「決定」。警方對此報道表達強烈不滿及嚴厲譴責。
Hong Kong police issued a statement on social media yesterday (the 4th), saying that a Radio Free Asia report published on the 3rd of this month, headlined “Foreign ‘Leading Figure’ in Suppression of Anti-Extradition Bill Protests Rupert Dover Retires; Hui Chi-fung Urges Him to Explain the Decision to Fire on 12 June,” was seriously inaccurate. The report said that Rupert Dover, who was regarded during the anti-extradition bill protests as the “leading figure in the suppression by force,” was about to retire, and interviewed former Legislative Council member Hui Chi-fung, who urged Dover to explain the “decision” to deploy tear gas on 12 June 2019. Police expressed strong dissatisfaction with and strongly condemned the report.
Translations are supplied by the source workbook. Consult the original reporting for context.
