Hong Kong police decided to limit access to restricted areas and press briefings to outlets registered with the government or internationally recognised media.
As per the new rules, police will no longer recognise press accreditations issued by local media groups or journalist associations, unless the reporters are working for outlets registered with the government's Information Services Department or reputable news organisations.
Local media SCMP reported, that press associations and Hong Kong journalism schools blasted the new restrictions, warning of a threat to the city's press freedom, with one union so far threatening legal action.