[Global Times reporter Xing Xiaojing] The Hong Kong police recently took away two minor "little reporters" in a demonstration in Tsim Sha Tsui, causing widespread concern in the society. The Hong Kong government issued a statement denounced some organizations for disregarding the safety of their children, and arranged for young students to interview high-risk demonstrations. According to Hong Kong media reports, the Director of the Hong Kong Police Force Deng Bingqiang plans to meet with representatives of the four media next week to strengthen communication, discuss issues and explore constructive solutions.
According to Hong Kong's "Sing Tao Daily" reported on the 12th, two male and female students involved in a demonstration in the Harbour City of Tsim Sha Tsui as a reporter of the online media "Deep Learning Media". The girl named Xie is only 16 years old. It is understood that the boys, wearing yellow vests printed with the words "journalists", had shown the "journalists" to the police. The police believed that the two were "illegal child laborers" and took them back to the police station where they were released after criticism and education.
At around 3 pm on the 10th, demonstrators gathered illegally in Harbour City, shouting the slogan "Hong Kong Independence" and displaying slogans. According to a detailed report in Hong Kong ’s Ming Pao newspaper, a boy named Lu expressed “want to participate”, so he joined the student media, and his mother said that “large demonstrations are rare”, believing that he could “learn to face the big scene” and he did not object to his son experiencing journalist work , But promised to temporarily not allow him to go. The police warned parents that if the two appeared again at the demonstration, they would not rule out prosecution against the parents on charges of "negligence in child care". "Ming Pao" said that after the night, there were students "reporters" in Mong Kok demonstrations, including a 14-year-old middle school student. She recently joined the "Hong Kong Student Media" and participated in the second demonstration that night. The student said that there was an interview when joining the organization, and the person in charge of the organization was a college student. They once told her that if they were arrested during the interview, they would "try to help as much as possible", but did not specify.
Since last year's "revision storm", a large number of "reporters" have frequently appeared at the scene of the confrontation between police and demonstrators, standing between the two as a cover for thugs, hindering police enforcement. The Chief Executive, Lin Zhengyue, said on the 12th that 12-year-olds had difficulty dealing with complex and changing environments, and questioned why some people thought they could conduct interviews on the spot. Hong Kong ’s Ta Kung Pao pointed out on the 12th that there were many students and minors involved. In a statement, the Hong Kong government strongly urged minors to stay away from high-risk demonstrations and stop participating in any interviews at the demonstration site. The statement also bombarded certain organizations who deliberately arranged for young students to conduct voluntary interviews, and extremely irresponsible behaviors that put their children at risk. At the same time, it calls on schools and parents to pay attention to and take care of the safety of students and their children and give appropriate guidance.
To strengthen communication with the media, the Director of the Hong Kong Police Force Deng Bingqiang plans to meet with representatives of four media next Thursday, including the Federation of Journalists, the Association of Photojournalists, the Association of Journalism Executives and the Association of Journalists. According to Hong Kong's Wen Wei Po reported on the 12th, Deng Bingqiang said in a letter to the four media agencies that more people were wearing yellow vests and interviewed at demonstrations while holding cameras. Difficulties, I hope to strengthen communication with the press, collect questions and study constructive solutions. Deng Bingqiang also said that he has noticed that the industry and the front-line police have different views on the law enforcement and use of force at the demonstration site. The police will actively review and follow up, maintain good relations and strengthen cooperation with mutual respect and understanding.