Central gov't national security office in HKSAR urges media to avoid false reports on Hong Kong

The Office for Safeguarding National Security of the Central People's Government in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Saturday met several heads of foreign news organizations and journalists in Hong Kong for talks in response to the recent false information and smear campaigns regarding the major fire in the housing complex Wang Fuk Court and the 2025 Legislative Council (LegCo) General Election.

Recent reports by foreign media outlets concerning Hong Kong have disregarded facts, spread false information, distorted and smeared the HKSAR government's disaster relief and recovery efforts, said the office.

The office said that the reports have also attacked and interfered with the election, incited social division and confrontation, and undermined the current atmosphere of solidarity and mutual assistance in Hong Kong. It added that the reports fail to empathize with the suffering and feelings of the victims and mislead the international community, expressing serious concern over these actions.

Stressing that no media outlets should interfere in China's internal affairs or meddle in the HKSAR's affairs under the pretext of "press freedom," the office urged all heads of foreign news organizations and journalists in Hong Kong to abide by the Basic Law of the HKSAR, the national security law in Hong Kong and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, strictly implement the HKSAR's regulations on news reporting, uphold the principles of objectivity, fairness, truthfulness and accuracy in news reporting. The office also urged foreign media to stop fabricating or disseminating false information.

The office has always acted strictly in accordance with the law and will continue to closely monitor relevant media reports, it said.

The office said that it supports the HKSAR government in upholding, respecting and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of foreign journalists in Hong Kong to conduct news reporting in accordance with the law, and will continue to provide necessary facilitation and assistance.