Latest news with #PressFreedomIndex
HKFP
27-05-2025
- Business
- HKFP
Hong Kong leader's comments prove taxpayers ‘penalised' before audit results, press union says
The Hong Kong Journalists' Association (HKJA) has criticised the city's top leader for saying that journalists 'have no privilege to evade taxes,' following the press union's accusation of 'unreasonable' tax audits targeting independent media outlets. 'Chief Executive John Lee's remarks today perfectly prove the Hong Kong Journalists Association's point that Hong Kong taxpayers are penalized and judged before the IRD [Internal Revenue Department] even concluded its audit findings,' the HKJA chairperson Selina Cheng said in a statement on Tuesday. 'What the HKJA questions is the procedural legitimacy of the audits, but Lee is quick to label those facing audits as 'tax evaders' and 'lawbreakers.'' Selina was responding to Lee's comments earlier on Tuesday morning, when reporters asked him about the HKJA's allegations that six independent media outlets in the city have been facing tax audits from the IRD since late 2023. The press union also said last week that the IRD made errors and 'strange, unreasonable claims' in issuing tax assessments and demands. 'Journalists or any other profession have no privilege to evade taxes,' Lee replied. He also said a 'real professional group' should improve the profession it belongs to instead of pressuring the government. 'Tolerating members who break the law and evade taxes while pressuring the government will only expose the group's own maliciousness,' the chief executive said. The six outlets facing IRD's audits include HKFP, InMedia, The Witness, ReNews, Boomhead, and one that did not wish to be named, according to the HKJA. In a statement, HKFP said it has been cooperating fully with the IRD's tax audit, adding that it has 'always met its tax obligations, paid IRD demands immediately, and ensured meticulous record-keeping' since it was established in 2015. Statement: HKFP, which was 'randomly selected' for an audit in 2024, has always met its tax obligations, paid demands immediately, and ensured meticulous record-keeping. Donor data was withheld in paper submissions to Inland Revenue, with all 'hold' demands reduced to HK$0.… — Hong Kong Free Press HKFP (@hkfp) May 21, 2025 The HKJA also said 20 individuals, including heads of media outlets and their spouses, are also subject to the IRD's audits and backdated tax demands. The press union itself also faces the IRD's scrutiny. that the IRD would 'definitely not' target specific industries. According to the annual Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Press Freedom Index, released in early May, Hong Kong fell five spots to 140th out of 180 countries and territories. The former British colony, once home to a freewheeling press, entered the 'red zone' – meaning a 'very serious' situation for journalism – for the first time in RSF's index. China ranked 178th.
HKFP
27-05-2025
- Business
- HKFP
Journalists ‘have no privilege to evade taxes,' Hong Kong leader says after press union alleges ‘unreasonable audits'
Journalists 'have no privilege to evade taxes,' Hong Kong leader John Lee has said, brushing off a press union's accusation that independent media outlets in the city are facing 'unreasonable' tax audits. No one is exempt from paying their taxes on time and in full, Lee said at a weekly press conference on Tuesday, adding that the government is entitled to launch tax investigations against any individuals or professions. 'No one has the privilege to break the law, no one has the privilege to evade taxes, and no one has the privilege of not having their taxes assessed,' he said in Cantonese. 'Journalists or any other profession have no privilege to evade taxes.' He also said that a 'real professional group' should improve the profession it belongs to instead of pressuring the government. 'Tolerating members who break the law and evade taxes while pressuring the government will only expose the group's own maliciousness,' Lee said. six independent media outlets in the city have been facing tax audits from the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) since late 2023. The IRD made errors and 'strange, unreasonable claims' in issuing tax assessments and demands, the press union said. The outlets include HKFP, InMedia, The Witness, ReNews, Boomhead, and one that did not wish to be named. In a statement, HKFP said it has been cooperating fully with the IRD's tax audit, adding that it has 'always met its tax obligations, paid IRD demands immediately, and ensured meticulous record-keeping' since it was established in 2015. Statement: HKFP, which was 'randomly selected' for an audit in 2024, has always met its tax obligations, paid demands immediately, and ensured meticulous record-keeping. Donor data was withheld in paper submissions to Inland Revenue, with all 'hold' demands reduced to HK$0.… — Hong Kong Free Press HKFP (@hkfp) May 21, 2025 According to the HKJA, 20 individuals, including heads of media outlets and their spouses, are also subject to the IRD's audits and backdated tax demands. The HKJA also faces the IRD's scrutiny. Selina Cheng, head of the HKJA, also said during the Wednesday press conference that the mistakes of the IRD included demanding a journalist to pay profits tax with a non-existent Business Registration number, and auditing backdated tax filings from before one media outlet was even established. Cheng also said the IRD re-examined her 2017 tax filing and overassessed her taxable income by about HK$400,000. Commissioner of Inland Revenue Benjamin Chan said on Saturday that the IRD would 'definitely not' target specific industries. According to the annual Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Press Freedom Index, released in early May, Hong Kong fell five spots to 140th out of 180 countries and territories. The former British colony, once home to a freewheeling press, entered the 'red zone' – meaning a 'very serious' situation for journalism – for the first time in RSF's index. China ranked 178th. Since the Beijing-imposed national security law came into effect in 2020, dozens of civil society groups have shuttered. Two of Hong Kong's biggest independent media outlets – Apple Daily and Stand News – also saw their offices raided and their top staff arrested. Last year, the HKJA said there was a 'systematic and organised attack' on the city's media sector, after receiving reports from journalists from at least 13 media outlets saying they or their family members had received anonymous harassment letters. Cheng said last week that the media outlets inspected by the IRD partly overlapped with those that faced harassment last year.
Malaysiakini
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Malaysiakini
Govt supports media, not just to improve press freedom ranking: Fahmi
The government's goal is not merely to see Malaysia improve in the Press Freedom Index, but more importantly, to support media practitioners facing the evolution of artificial intelligence (AI), said Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil. He said that media practitioners are dealing with various urgent challenges, including employment issues, welfare concerns, and the rise of AI, which raises fears over whether it could replace the role of journalists.
The Sun
04-05-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Press Freedom Index: Gov't safeguards media interests in AI era
KUALA LUMPUR: The government's goal is not merely to see Malaysia's position improve in the Press Freedom Index, but more importantly, to support media practitioners who are now facing the evolution of Artificial Intelligence (AI), said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. He said that currently, media practitioners are dealing with various urgent challenges, including employment issues, welfare concerns and the rise of AI, which raises fears over whether it could replace the role of journalists. 'In this regard, the World Press Freedom Index 2025 report released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) presents an opportunity for the government to enhance efforts to defend the interests of media practitioners,' he told reporters after attending the Universiti Malaya Public Health Campaign: Diabetes Is Not a Barrier here today. Malaysia improved its standing in the World Press Freedom Index 2025 by climbing 19 spots to 88th place, the second highest in ASEAN behind Thailand, which ranks 85th. Fahmi, who is also the Member of Parliament for Lembah Pantai, said several government efforts, including the drafting of legislation for the Malaysian Media Council, have contributed to the positive outcome in the country's ranking. 'We hope that by National Journalists Day, the council or its founding board can be formed. This would be a positive and significant step forward,' he said. Fahmi also expressed his readiness to meet with representatives from media groups such as journalist clubs, the National Union of Journalists Malaysia (NUJ) and the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) to discuss guidelines on AI use in journalism. 'We certainly need guidelines. We need understanding so we can harness AI's potential and not fall victim to false news, inaccurate information, or the misuse of AI, especially in the media industry. 'I am ready to meet and will try to make time this week to at least gather initial input from NUJ,' he said. Commenting on the 3R (race, religion, royalty) issue raised by RSF in the report, Fahmi stressed the importance of balancing freedom of expression with adherence to existing laws. 'We cannot allow misinformation, including content that touches on 3R issues and disrupts public order, to spread unchecked. Malaysians, including media colleagues, have the right to speak and report, but existing laws still apply,' he said.
Barnama
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Barnama
Press Freedom Index: Gov't Safeguards Media Interests In AI Era
KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 (Bernama) -- The government's goal is not merely to see Malaysia's position improve in the Press Freedom Index, but more importantly, to support media practitioners who are now facing the evolution of Artificial Intelligence (AI), said Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil. He said that currently, media practitioners are dealing with various urgent challenges, including employment issues, welfare concerns and the rise of AI, which raises fears over whether it could replace the role of journalists. 'In this regard, the World Press Freedom Index 2025 report released by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) presents an opportunity for the government to enhance efforts to defend the interests of media practitioners,' he told reporters after attending the Universiti Malaya Public Health Campaign: Diabetes Is Not a Barrier here today. Malaysia improved its standing in the World Press Freedom Index 2025 by climbing 19 spots to 88th place, the second highest in ASEAN behind Thailand, which ranks 85th. Fahmi, who is also the Member of Parliament for Lembah Pantai, said several government efforts, including the drafting of legislation for the Malaysian Media Council, have contributed to the positive outcome in the country's ranking. 'We hope that by National Journalists Day, the council or its founding board can be formed. This would be a positive and significant step forward,' he said. Fahmi also expressed his readiness to meet with representatives from media groups such as journalist clubs, the National Union of Journalists Malaysia (NUJ) and the Malaysian Press Institute (MPI) to discuss guidelines on AI use in journalism. 'We certainly need guidelines. We need understanding so we can harness AI's potential and not fall victim to false news, inaccurate information, or the misuse of AI, especially in the media industry. 'I am ready to meet and will try to make time this week to at least gather initial input from NUJ,' he said.
