China’s National Security Office in Hong Kong Summons Foreign Journalists

Beijing’s national security arm in Hong Kong summoned representatives and journalists from some foreign media organizations, including The New York Times, on Saturday to warn them about coverage of the city’s deadliest fire in decades as well as of upcoming legislative elections.
The warning underscores the heightened scrutiny facing international news organizations in Hong Kong after Beijing imposed a national security law on the city with sweeping powers to curtail dissent. The officials said that foreign journalists would face consequences if they were deemed to have violated the law, adding: “Do not say you have not been warned.”
During the briefing, officials from the Office for Safeguarding National Security in Hong Kong read aloud a statement that criticized recent reporting by the foreign media on a massive fire last month at Wang Fuk Court, a high-rise complex in northern Hong Kong, that had killed at least 159 people.
The officials said that some reports had “distorted facts,” spread false information, and smeared the government’s rescue and relief work. The statement also said that some reporting had “attacked and interfered with” the legislative election to be held Sunday. The officials did not give specifics or single out any particular outlets or reports.