Justice chief says Article 23 won’t hinder press freedom

Secretary for Justice Paul Lam Ting-kwok said on Monday that the city’s new national security law under Article 23 places no "extra and unreasonable" restrictions on press freedom, with the media allowed to criticize the government, regardless of how sharp or severe the criticism may be.

The justice chief wrote in a newspaper op-ed published today that the homegrown national security law has no intention to and will not have any unreasonable restrictions on press freedom.

He said as long as the news industry adheres to the fundamental professional principles of seeking truth, fairness, objectivity, impartiality, and comprehensive reporting, there is no need for special concern about violating the law, including the provisions in the new legislation.

Lam also said the common law system is the foundation of the rule of law in Hong Kong, and its values and objectives should remain unchanged.

He emphasized that the law must protect fundamental human rights and freedoms while simultaneously safeguarding national security.