Hong Kong: Nabela Qoser Is Legally Harassed Due To Her Questioning
Location: Hong Kong
Date: September 27, 2020
Hong Kong National TV reporter Nabela Qoser is targeted with legal harassment following complaints against her reporting on questionability of pro-government figures and her tough questioning of the authorities during last year's social unrest.
Nabela Qoser was served a probation period of three years last year and with this newly launched investigation her probation period as a civil servant will be extended by another 120 days, according to the RTHK Programme Staff Union.
The union questioned why the investigation into Qoser is being reopened after it had been concluded and said it would be seeking information as to who made the decision. It described the move as "unreasonable suppression". The union also said appraisals are used to assess the performance of members of staff and extending an employee's probation period because of an investigation was "extremely unusual".
In the last year women journalists have been targeted by the authorities in several ways for their reporting on the protests against Chinese regime. In September of 2019, Indonesian Journalist Veby Mega was shot in the face by what is believed to be a rubber bullet and has been left blinded since. More recently, in July Hong Kong police charged at demonstrators gathered to hold the annual July 1 March. Among the affected was Multimedia journalist Chermaine Lee, who was covering the march on behalf of CNN.
Nabela’s case illustrates the risks media workers have been exposed to when performing their duties and exercising their right to criticism and freedom of expression. The Coalition For Women In Journalism demands the authorities to lift the probation period on Nabela and allow her to conduct journalism and inform the public with her questions.
The CFWIJ strongly condemns the police brutality against journalists. We demand the immediate return of the press cards seized from the security forces. Policies to intimidate journalists should be abandoned, and journalism should be practiced under the criteria of freedom of the press.
If you have been harassed or abused in any way, and please report the incident by using the following form.