The US economy and monetary policy was the topic of discussion when Dr. James Bullard, President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, spoke at the FCC on May 22.
Watch the full video here
Media entrepreneur Jimmy Lai: Hong Kong Extradition Law is ‘the battle against the massacre of our freedom’
Hong Kong’s proposed changes to its extradition agreement with China will finish Hong Kong, warned media entrepreneur Jimmy Lai, as he called on residents to protest.
Jimmy Lai, founder and chairman of Hong Kong-listed Next Digital, at the May 20 club lunch. Photo: Sarah Graham/FCCIf the bill passes, many foreign businesses will leave Hong Kong, Lai predicted, quoting a new and as yet unpublished survey that found 90% of businessmen in the city were against the proposed Fugitive Offenders Ordinance amendment bill that would allow the city to accept extradition requests from countries where there is no prior agreement.
“This is the last battle. This is the battle against the massacre of our freedom,” Lai said at the May 20 club lunch.
The founder and chairman of Hong Kong-listed Next Digital, publisher of Apple Daily and Next Magazine, also described Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam as “evil” and gave this advice to young journalists: “It’s a risky business… but you’re fighting for society, which is worth fighting for, and that has a lot to give us as a person – the dignity, the pride, the reason to live.”
Watch the full video
Maria Ressa on press freedom, dictators, social media, and the day George Clooney made her coffee
The biggest battle for our generation is the battle for truth and as journalists, we must continue to fight for it, said Rappler founder and press freedom fighter Maria Ressa.
Maria Ressa at the May 17 club lunch. Photo: Sarah Graham/FCCAppearing at the FCC on a travel bond amid several pending court actions in the Philippines, the journalist at the centre of a harassment campaign directed by President Rodrigo Duterte discussed her country’s “descent into tyranny” but admitted that the pressure on her and her reporters “has made us stronger”.
During the lively May 17 guest appearance, Ressa gave her views on why so many populist leaders were being elected, in part blaming the rise of the internet and social media and their role in the spread of disinformation.
She also talked about the pressure that comes with being an international symbol of the fight for press freedom, which sees her traveling the world to meet global leaders and human rights advocates. In one anecdote, Ressa recalled a recent meeting with leading human rights lawyer, Amal Clooney, and her actor husband George, who made the two women Nespresso – for which the actor is global brand ambassador – as they discussed human rights issues.
Watch the full video
Temporary Suspension of Telephone Line Services
FCC Hong Kong statement on release of Reuters journalists
The Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Hong Kong welcomes the release of Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo who had been jailed for their reporting on the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar.
Reuters journalists Wa Lone (L) and Kyaw Soe Oo, who are based in Myanmar, pose for a picture at the Reuters office in Yangon, Myanmar December 11, 2017. Picture taken December 11, 2017. REUTERS/Antoni SlodkowskiOver the 16 months the pair spent behind bars, the FCC Hong Kong and other press organisations had repeatedly called for the charges to be dropped and for the two men to return home to their families. They were only doing their jobs, and had not committed any crimes.
The FCC Hong Kong congratulates them on their long overdue freedom and reunion with their families.
Reporters in Myanmar continue to face prosecution for public-interest reporting as well as pressure to self-censor, even under the elected civilian-led government of Aung San Suu Kyi, a Nobel laureate who had been the country’s most famous political prisoner for many years.
The FCC Hong Kong continues to call on Suu Kyi and her administration to support press freedom and ensure that journalists are able to work without threat of retaliation.
Limited FCCHK Operations Monday 5th August 2019
| Because of protests and anticipated continued disruptions across the city today, Monday 5th August, the Club’s management notifies members that only the lounge and main bar remain open, offering a bar menu selection. Members will be updated if that changes. We thank you for your understanding. Please contact the Front Desk – 25211511 for up-to-date information related to the operation of the F&B outlets and facilities. |
Heated debate over proposed Hong Kong extradition agreement with China
A proposed controversial extradition agreement between Hong Kong and China was the topic of lively debate when prominent lawyers with opposing views on the move discussed it at the FCC.
Dennis Kwok. Photo: Sarah Graham/FCCWatch the video below
Days after an estimated 150,000 marched through Hong Kong in protest at the proposal, Ronny Tong, a non-official member of the Executive Council of Hong Kong, joined Legislative Council member Dennis Kwok to discuss whether the move was a knee-jerk reaction to the recent case of a Hong Kong citizen suspected of committing murder in Taiwan or a way in which China can legally abduct people from the city. Both men are co-founders of the Civic Party.
Ronny Tong. Photo: Sarah Graham/FCCTong argued that the amendment would respect the human rights of those taken to the mainland under the agreement, and that extradition decisions would be taken having been considered by Hong Kong’s respected judiciary. He added that political crimes would be exempt from the agreement. Kwok, however, said he feared that once Article 23 was enacted, such crimes would fall under the agreement.
Watch the full May 2 debate here.
Rappler’s Maria Ressa to be keynote speaker at Human Rights Press Awards
The Human Rights Press Awards is delighted to announce that Maria Ressa, the co-founder of news website Rappler, will be the keynote speaker at the awards ceremony on May 16, 2019, at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club in Hong Kong.
Maria Ressa, RapplerMaria has become synonymous with the battle against disinformation and attempts to discredit the media in the Philippines.
Rappler has repeatedly pushed to hold the government accountable and has exposed corruption within the police force, which has led the deadly crackdown against drugs.
Maria has turned Rappler into one of the region’s most influential news outlets, even as the government has attempted to silence her – she has been arrested twice this year and is currently out on bail.
The Human Rights Press Awards showcase the best work by journalists reporting on human rights in Asia – promoting and rewarding much-needed coverage in this important field. For more than two decades the awards have been proudly organised by the FCC, Amnesty International, and the Hong Kong Journalists Association.
For media enquiries please contact Winnie Fu: [email protected]
+852 9197 3405
Hong Kong archives law ‘long overdue’
A modern, comprehensive and transparent archives law that covers all public bodies is long overdue in Hong Kong, argued the director of Hong Kong University’s Social Science Research Centre in response to the Law Reform Commission’s looking at legislation guaranteeing public access to information.
L-R: Don Brech, Prof. John Bacon-Shone, and Stacy Belcher Lee. Photo: Sarah Graham/FCCProfessor John Bacon-Shone added that record keeping was an essential element of an effective and accountable government when he appeared at the April 30 club lunch as part of a panel discussing the need for an archives law.
The Law Reform Commission has come up with a report looking at both the need for an archives law and legislation guaranteeing public access to information. The report has gone out to public consultation. Some journalists, historians and archivists think the proposals are too weak.
Joining Prof. Bacon-Shone were Don Brech, a member of the Archives Action Group and former Director of the HK Government Records Service; and HKU University Archivist and member of the Law Reform Commission Archives Law Sub-committee, Stacy Belcher.
One point of contention among panelists was the potential to charge members of the public for access to information. Prof. Bacon-Shone said there was no cost attached to copying digital records, as opposed to a small cost for photocopying paper records.
However, Belcher argued that there was in fact a significant cost to keep digital records, including electronic storage fees, and administrative costs in transferring and archiving digital information.
Watch the full talk here.
FCC Anti-Harassment Policy – further information
Dear Members,
Late last year, the Club distributed an anti-harassment policy after it was unanimously approved by the Board of Governors. It is an unequivocal statement that harassment will not be tolerated in the Club. It also puts us at the forefront in terms of addressing this issue among private clubs in Hong Kong.
Below please find further information about this initiative.
1. Addressing harassment has been a longtime priority for the Board.
In recent years, the Board has handled a number of disciplinary cases involving allegations of harassment, a problem that is not unique to private clubs or to any specific place in the world. After dealing with three cases in 2017, the Board resolved to take proactive measures by putting a formal anti-harassment policy in writing. This was done in accordance with Club procedures.
2. This policy is about making sure all members feel comfortable in their Club.
Fostering an environment that is welcoming for all members does not preclude lively discussion and a good time, but rather promotes it.
3. This policy is consistent with principles of free speech.
The FCC has a proven record of standing for free speech in Hong Kong, Asia and around the world. But free speech in the context of a private club does not give members license to talk to or treat others in a demeaning way. This policy is common courtesy and common sense.
4. The FCC has been very open to criticism of the policy.
Members of the Board have repeatedly engaged critics of the policy, both via email and through discussions in person. The Board remains willing to consider changes that refine the policy, and welcomes all suggestions to improve it as long as they serve the goal of eliminating harassment in the Club.
5. The disciplinary process remains unchanged.
All formal complaints shall be investigated fairly in accordance with the Articles of Association and with respect for the confidentiality of those involved.
6. The FCC is taking other steps to address harassment.
Incidents of harassment at the Club almost always involve excessive alcohol consumption, but being intoxicated does not excuse one’s actions. The staff is being trained to better handle these situations.
7. Combating and preventing harassment is the responsibility of everyone.
All members are responsible and accountable for their own behaviour, and that means respecting other people’s boundaries. The FCC should be a harassment-free environment, and this policy provides a framework to achieve that. But as members we also all need to step up: by considering how our words and actions might affect others, and by looking out for one another generally. It is this kind of caring and collegiality, which our members already show in such abundance, that drew many of us to the Club to begin with.
We invite further feedback as part of an ongoing discussion that we think is to the benefit of the Club overall. Please share your thoughts and questions with us by emailing [email protected].
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Florence de Changy
FCC President