Security 'trumps press freedom'

Wallis Wang

Pro-Beijing lawmakers expressed full support for the police action as a legal expert said those arrested could be charged with sedition.

In voicing the sedition possibility, former director of public prosecutions Grenville Cross said "the suspects have only been arrested, not charged, so we will need to see if sedition charges are laid."

He dismissed people's doubts about sedition and the claim it's a "colonial-era" law.

"Remember, the laws against, for example, murder, rape, or bribery, are all "colonial era" in the sense they were enacted by the colonial power, but this in no way affects their legitimacy," he said.

Cross also said the sedition law had been used in the past and "there is absolutely no mystery about its use in this case to make the arrests.

"Its use is the same as if there was a conspiracy to steal, or to assault, or to riot, and the usual procedural and legal rules apply, so there is no question of unfairness," he said.

Election Committee lawmaker-elect Maggie Chan Man-ki said freedom of speech doesn't come without limits and that national security and constitutional order trump it.

For its part, the Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong believes the crackdown can act as a deterrent to organizations and people who intend to threaten security.

"National security risks in Hong Kong have not been completely eliminated as anti-China forces are still using media, art and publications to instill subversive ideology, especially among the young," it said.

"Stand News always uses press freedom as an excuse to edit and publish articles that incite hatred of the police, including glamourizing the riots at Chinese University."

The Federation of Trade Unions also supported the move to investigate anti-China media outlets.

Chief Secretary John Lee Ka-chiu said those who attempt to use the media as a tool to pursue political purposes are "evil elements that damage press freedom."

"Professional media workers should recognize that these are the bad apples who are abusing their position simply by donning a false coat of media worker," he said.

"They will pollute press freedom. Professional media workers should recognize this, say no to these people and stay far from them."