Hong Kong – (C8) Professional training
Most of the newsrooms in Hong Kong have not institutionalised continuing professional education. Most newsrooms neither regularly provide training nor request that their journalists take courses.
Indicators: Control / Watchdog
Hong Kong – (C7) The watchdog and the news media’s mission statement
The mission statements of news organisations do not contain provisions for acting as watchdogs. However, Hong Kong newsrooms value the watchdog function of media.
Hong Kong – (C6) Practice of access to information
Article 27 of the Basic Law guarantees Hong Kong residents freedom of speech, the press, and publication. It is becoming more difficult for journalists to access public information. There are significant differences between promises and practices.
Hong Kong – (C5) Journalists’ job security
Journalists tend to work for their employers briefly, and the main reason is low wages.
Hong Kong – (C4) Journalistic professionalism
Reporters generally have strong educational backgrounds and hold similar professional ethics and principles. About half of the interviewees believed that their companies allot satisfactory time and resources for investigative research.
Hong Kong – (C3) Transparency of data on leading news media
Not all news media outlets have disclosed their ownership structures, circulation information, and advertising revenues. Only the media organisations listed on the stock market have disclosed this information under the Securities and Future Ordinance.
Hong Kong – (C2) Independence of the news media from powerholders
By law, the freedom of the press is protected, but press freedom continually deteriorates because of political pressure.
Hong Kong – (C1) Supervising the watchdog “control of the controllers”
There are no institutionalised mechanisms for scrutinising the performance of leading news media, although universities, media bloggers, and professional journalists’ bodies serve as independent observers monitoring their performance, especially in terms of self-censorship and news credibility. The performance of the media is always subject to debate.
Netherlands – (C9) Watchdog function and financial resources
Dutch newsrooms provide resources for investigative reporting as much as possible – no more, no less. The Dutch Journalism Fund subsidises specific projects on a temporary basis, as well as investigative journalism.
Netherlands – (C8) Professional training
Training courses are offered by the Dutch Association of Journalists (NVJ) and the Association of Investigative Journalists (VVOJ). Some media (companies) have set up their own training structures. Training opportunities depend on the news medium.
