The International Federation of Journalists joins its affiliate the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA), and other local media organisations in welcoming the not guilty verdict passed down in the case of photographer Sing Kai-Chung on December 7.

Over thirty people including representatives of the IFJ, the HKJA, the Hong Kong Photographers Association and the Apple Daily Union attended the hearing in support of former Apple Daily photo-journalist Sing Kai-Chung, who was found not guilty of common assault by the Eastern Magistrate of Hong Kong.

The IFJ had previously reported that Sing Kai-Chung was charged with common assault for allegedly pushing a security guard to the ground outside the Government Headquarters building in Hong Kong on January 9.

The HKJA and other local media organisations protested in support of Sing on September 28, claiming that the incident and charge was a result of restrictive regulations that prevent media from reporting outside the Hong Kong Government Headquarters.

The Apple Daily Union Chairperson Edward Li Ka-Chung has repeatedly sent letters requesting a  meeting with Miss Kitty Choi, Director of Administrative Wing of the Hong Kong Government Headquarter Building and the Legislative Council, to discuss the current restrictions and seek amendments which would allow the press to report more freely in the public’s interest.

“We welcome the verdict in Mr Sing’s case but renew the call to lift restrictions that prevent the media from reporting in the public interest from outside the Government Headquarters Building” said the IFJ Asia Pacific Office.

For further information contact IFJ Asia-Pacific on +61 2 9333 0950 

The IFJ represents more than 600,000 journalists in 131 countries

Find the IFJ on Twitter: @ifjasiapacific