Hong Kong warns foreign news media over fire coverage

National security office condemns alleged 'smear campaigns'

20251206 hk

Journalists film as Hong Kong police officers show images taken inside the burned apartments of Wang Fuk Court on Dec. 1. © Reuters

JAMES HAND-CUKIERMAN and KENJI KAWASE
December 6, 2025 20:32 JST

TOKYO -- National security authorities in Hong Kong on Saturday summoned unnamed media organizations to discuss coverage of the deadly Wang Fuk Court apartment fire, warning them against "smear campaigns" and "false information" surrounding the disaster along with Sunday's Legislative Council election.

The Office for Safeguarding National Security said that certain reports had "disregarded facts" and distorted the Hong Kong government's efforts to address the disaster at the apartment complex, which killed at least 159. It also said the media had "attacked and interfered" with the election, while inciting "social division and confrontation."

The unusual public statement did not name the summoned organizations.

Since the fire devastated seven apartment blocks in late November, Hong Kong authorities have launched investigations and said they suspect that substandard materials used in a renovation project played a role. Anti-corruption authorities are also looking into the case, and numerous arrests have been made.

At the same time, authorities have been sensitive to expressions of public anger. This past week, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee announced a judge-led inquiry into the fire, while also vowing that he "will not tolerate those who exploit tragedy." The authorities will pursue "anybody, anywhere" if they "sabotage" the work of the government, he said.

A few people have been at least briefly detained on suspicion of sedition, according to local media reports, including a university student who was involved in a petition demanding accountability for the blaze.

The national security office that called in the news outlets, which represents the central government in Beijing, was established under the National Security Law enacted in 2020. Hong Kong ranked 140th on the latest press freedom index from Reporters Without Borders, down from 73rd in 2019.

The statement on Saturday said that "freedom of the press" cannot be used as a pretext to interfere in China's and Hong Kong's affairs, while stressing support for the "legitimate rights" of foreign journalists to report in accordance with the law.

A spokesperson was quoted as cautioning, "Don't say you weren't warned."

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