Media groups in 11th hour alert of dangers to press

HONG KONG: Media organisations held an emergency forum as Media went to press in a last-ditch effort to highlight shortcomings in the city's national security bill.

The meeting follows a Government-organised forum early this month for organisations to express their opinions on Article 23, which is widely expected to pass before the legislature's summer recess.

Media and business groups remain unconvinced that Article 23 would protect freedom of speech and press. Among other concerns, there are fears that Article 23 will lead to uncertainty, self-censorship and cover-ups.

The 11th hour effort by media organisations will involve a forum and a protest against Article 23 on June 3.

A survival guide, detailing in layman's terms what publishers and journalists can report on and what they must do to keep out of jail, is also in the pipeline. However, one senior media executive noted: "It doesn't look encouraging to me. The battle is over. It's now time for the press to build its defences."

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