Daniel de Blocq van Scheltinga says the surge in fake reporters who constantly trouble the police threatens journalistic integrity, and calls for tighter regulations

According to the most common definitions, a journalist is an individual who collects, writes and distributes current information of interest to the public. The website of the Hong Kong Journalists Association distinguishes between several types of membership classes, with only a full member being entitled to apply for an HKJA press card and an international IFJ (International Federation of Journalists) press card. To be eligible to become an HKJA full member, one has to be employed in Hong Kong as a journalist, photographer or an artist for a news agency, newspaper, periodical, radio or television station, or a digital platform.

Since the "black-shirt" protests and riots started five months ago, we have witnessed an explosion in the number of active "journalists" in Hong Kong - if the number of individuals covering the black-shirts, brandishing press passes and wearing yellow vests is anything to go by. Logically, this would mean an equally dramatic increase in the number of news agencies, newspapers, television and radio stations or digital news platforms operating in Hong Kong. This does not seem to be the case when looking at media companies registered in Hong Kong. It is therefore reasonable to conclude that many individuals covering the black-shirts' clashes with police, residents and tourists and their vandalizing of public property are not bona fide journalists.

Taking a closer look at the actions of these so-called journalists, it becomes increasingly evident that they are imposters with a questionable agenda. They often hinder police officers performing their lawful duties by standing directly in front of them, nose to nose, blocking their views and ability to operate with agility and speed, while taking photos and filming with mobile phones instead of professional equipment. And they only film the counteractions of the riot police, while completely ignoring the initial violence and provocations that preceded them. All of the above are obvious clues as to what is really going on.

The Canadian YouTube blogger Toby Gu posted videos online showing how easy it was to print a fake press pass, and, together with newly bought yellow protective helmet, fly to Hong Kong and join the fray disguised as a journalist. As he was filming the violent demonstrations and melees, he was quickly accepted without question by one and all as a "journalist". As he himself stated with obvious bewilderment in one of his online videos, "I flew in yesterday with some photoshopped badge, and a vest that I bought on Amazon, and now I'm way behind police lines and I'm just a tourist"

In September, the Hong Kong Police Force displayed a large trove of dangerous weapons, cash, Octopus cards and fake press cards that they had uncovered in raids. In addition, there are a great many videos on social media showing black-shirts fleeing the police following a confrontation, and immediately thereafter changing into a journalist "disguise" in an alley in order to escape arrest.

All of the above proves that there are indeed many fake journalists operating among bona fide journalists. This creates a potentially dangerous situation as it becomes almost impossible for police officers to distinguish between black-shirts disguised as journalists and the real ones in the heat of the moment. As the police increasingly get harassed and hindered by the fake journalists and have to respond with force, the risk of genuine journalists getting caught up in the clashes becomes very real. In many countries in Europe, journalists are not allowed to stand so close to the police and other law and order forces, as their role is clearly defined as one of reporting only and not of participating. As Hong Kong does not have similar strict guidelines for the press to follow, the journalists increasingly risk getting hurt in the fray, or even getting arrested. Perhaps the optics of a fake journalist getting hurt or arrested is exactly what the black-shirts are looking for, in order to feed their propaganda apparatus.

The lines between protesters and reporters become even more blurred when the Hong Kong Police Force cannot even hold a press conference without some journalists staging protest antics, clearly taking sides in Hong Kong's most disruptive controversy, and thereby violating the first tenet of journalism of remaining objective and neutral in their news coverage. This is clearly evident in the most recent police press briefing when a number of journalists wore protective helmets adorned with signs alleging police violence and mistreatment of journalists. The fact that individuals wearing journalist outfits have been arrested does not necessarily mean that they are real journalists. Even genuine journalists are subject to arrest if they hindered or interfered with police operations.

As an executive member of the HKJA, Ronson Chan Ron-sing, who took part in the antics, stated after the aborted press briefing, "I'd like to stress that reporters should not become main characters in the news. But (recently) we have been targeted by police. We feel this is unacceptable." This is highly hypocritical as more often than not, it is the journalists' uncalled-for actions that led to these consequences. A war correspondent also takes as much care as possible not to be positioned between the combatant troops. Why should this be any different?

The experience of recent months underlines the desperate need in Hong Kong for more clarity as to what journalists are allowed to do, what their rights and obligations are, and a stricter requirement to qualify as a journalist. The fact that the Hong Kong government does not issue press credentials is something that needs to be addressed most urgently to keep fake journalists from interfering in the work of law enforcement authorities and to prevent black-shirts from seeking refuge in the ranks of fake journalists. This is an issue genuine journalists should help clarify to protect their professional integrity. So let the real journalists show themselves, and the others be revealed in the "emperor's new clothes". Everyone will benefit, not least the real representatives of the press and the public at large.

The author is a specialist in international public law, and an adviser on China-related matters to both the private and public sectors. He has lived in Hong Kong for over 18 years.

(HK Edition 11/07/2019 page8)