Experts went ahead with upgrading the Fire Services Department's digital communication system in October, as news organizations loudly complained that as the technology may impair their ability to carry out spot news coverage, it infringes on freedom of the press.

The Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) issued a public statement on Sunday, charging blocking public access to the information sent from the command center to frontline firefighters may breach the public's right to know, and freedom of the press.

"Fire-fighting is indeed a fight that requires swift and strategic deployment during operations. The presence of reporters on the scene - or any other third parties - may unintentionally affect the firefighters while carrying out rescue operations," said Anthony Lam Chum-man, former head of the department.

For instance, he said, someone intending to jump from a building may be provoked by seeing crowds of reporters and onlookers.

Lam did not comment on the HKJA's accusation that the new system using encrypted digital message will prevent journalists from responding quickly to potential news stories.

The HKJA demanded that the Fire Services Department "provide information relating to when the fire equipment goes into action, the street number where the incident has occurred, and the kind of operation the department will be carrying out".

But Lam disagreed with HKJA's concern that the new technology will undermine the role of the press to supervise the process of the law enforcement, saying that the department has detailed digital records regarding to the process of the operation, such as how much time it takes to reach a fire scene after receiving a report.

Lam also raised the question of whether monitoring the airwaves used by the department may violate the law.

"I believe that in applying the new system, the department is simply following the law. There's nothing wrong for them to do so," Lam said.

The Telecommunications Ordinance has no elaboration regarding whether it is legal or not for journalists to monitor the airwaves.

Chan Fuk-cheung, president of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers, said although the technology to be applied in the new system will surely hinder outsiders from securing information, it may enable frontline firefighters to secure information in a more accurate and efficient manner.

Chan said the new system has much more functionality than the former technology. He cited automatically sending messages back to the control center when a user becomes trapped during an incident.

He said the technology has already been adopted in subways and came into use at the airport three or four years ago.

The department said it will consult the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data and the Department of Justice on the release of information, before responding to the HKJA.

andrea@chinadailyhk.com

China Daily

(HK Edition 08/30/2011 page1)