Overview of the Incident

In a heated exchange concerning a recent student-made documentary, a journalism lecturer from the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) has come to the defense of his students after a government official accused them of making “sweeping generalisations.” The documentary, produced by U-Beat, a publication from CUHK’s School of Journalism and Communication, sheds light on the operations of district-level Community Care Teams amid growing scrutiny of their activities.

Details of the Documentary

The 12-minute film reveals attempts by the student reporters to engage with care teams and gain insight into their work. Alarmingly, these endeavors were met with repeated refusals. Clarence Leung, an official from the Home and Youth Affairs Bureau (HYAB), stated that some reports related to the documentary might not be fair, yet he failed to specify which reports or generalisations he was referencing.

Background on Community Care Teams

The Community Care Teams were established in 2022 as part of a government initiative aimed at enhancing district governance across Hong Kong's 18 districts. Following their introduction, funding for these teams was announced to increase by 50% in the forthcoming service term. However, the U-Beat report claims that some individuals donned care team uniforms merely for cosmetic purposes during photo opportunities rather than as legitimate members.

Government Response

Leung emphasized that numerous volunteers assist the care teams, clarifying that not all individuals in uniform were official members. In addition, when pressed about U-Beat's unsuccessful requests for work reports from the care teams, Leung noted that, as of last November, these teams had reached out to 340,000 elderly and at-risk families, asserting their commitment and hard work in the community.

Issues of Transparency

Interestingly, work reports from these care teams are submitted biannually to district offices and are not publicly available. This fact raises questions regarding transparency and accountability, as both the Tsuen Wan and Southern District Offices denied U-Beat's requests for interviews and access to work reports. Tsuen Wan District Officer Billy Au commented that while the care teams had met their performance indicators, many government documents remain confidential.

Support from Journalism Community

Veteran journalist and course instructor Sum Wan-wah defended the students, stating that their inquiry aimed to understand the actual operations of these care teams rather than to expose wrongdoing. He acknowledged the palpable pressure student reporters felt in the current climate, where questions arose about the viability of reporting certain findings.

Conclusion

This incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by journalists, particularly those who are just beginning their careers. With the Hong Kong media landscape under increasing scrutiny and restrictive measures, the courage of student journalists to pursue transparency shines a light on the crucial role of press freedom in ensuring government accountability.

Looking Ahead

Will this be a turning point for journalistic integrity in Hong Kong's increasingly complicated political environment? Stay tuned as this story develops!