🌊 Hong Kong Pressed On Press Freedom Day

COVID restrictions loosening on Thurs

Good morning.

We went to Eagle’s Nest before work today in an attempt to bump into literally anyone celebrating Polish National Day (as per the CG’s event….). It was really nice but I couldn’t find any Polish people (or white eagles).

But there was a nest on the Eagle’s Nest and I challenge everyone to find it then tag me for clout.

Cyril Ma @Cyrildoesthings

Spot the nest in the Eagle's Nest Happy #Polish national day!

— Cyril

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On Today’s Tide

1. Press Freedom |

   • Hong Kong drops 68 places in RSF Press Freedom Index

   • Human Rights Press Award to be held in Arizona

2. COVID | Restrictions loosening from Thursday

3. Politics | CE-Elect council to begin operation shortly

4. Events

Behind the paywall:

1. Culture | TVB ‘odd messages’ probed by police

2. Tech | Leave Home Safe includes facial recognition data (gov says don’t worry)

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HK drops 68 places in Press Freedom Index

Happy World Press Freedom Day! Hong Kong decided to jump into the mosh pit to celebrate - jumping down 68 places. We now rank #148 out of 180 countries and territories ranked by Reporters Without Borders (RSF)’s in their annual press freedom index.

Tom Grundy @tomgrundy

#HongKong has plummeted down an international press freedom chart as authorities have wielded a draconian new security law to silence critical news outlets and jail journalists, a new @RSF_inter report said on Tuesday. In full: bit.ly/3vCMw3j #pressfreedomday #WPFD

When RSF first started ranking countries in 2002, Hong Kong was one of the freest media centres in Asia, ranking 18th worldwide. The situation has steadily declined since then, with the exception of a slight high in 2010 where Hong Kong ranked 34th.

• Human Rights Press Award moving to Arizona

In a sudden development, the now-cancelled Human Rights Press Award founded, held and run from 1997 by the Foreign Correspondents Club in HK will now be moving to Arizona State University.

Joyce Lau 😷 💉💉💉 @JoyceLauNews

2/ Finally I feel OK enough to say something, because some good news came through today. The Human Rights Press Awards - founded in Hong Kong in 1997 - will move to the US @ASU. HT @almond_li for reporting for @hkfp

hongkongfp.comHong Kong’s axed Human Rights Press Awards to be hosted by Arizona State University from 2023 - Hong Kong Free Press HKFPArizona State University’s (ASU) journalism school will host the Human Rights Press Awards from next year, after Hong Kong’s Foreign Correspondents’ Club (FCC) axed the event citing legal “red lines.” ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication made the announcement on Tuesday…

FCC President Keith Richburg said that he was “thrilled” to hear that ASU will be taking over the awards, and noted that he had been approached by the university as soon as news about the suspension came out.

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COVID in Hong Kong

Aaron Busch @tripperhead

COVID-19 cases 🇭🇰 May 3rd • New reported local PCR+ cases: 115 📈 (+2) • New reported local RAT+ cases: 154 📉 (-4) • Local total: 269 • Imported: 21 • Total cases: 1,205,083 • Local cases 5th wave: 1,191,022

• New cases: 290 (21 imported)

• Total cases: 1,205,083

• New deaths: 7

• Total deaths: 9,325

COVID restrictions to loosen earlier than planned

As of this Thursday (5 May), some restrictions originally meant for the second round of relaxations on 19 May will go into effect. This includes beaches and pools re-opening, masks not being needed for exercise (finally, I can cough at the trees when I hike!), and 8 being allowed to sit at table.

However, the gathering restrictions of 4 in public will remain. Bars, pubs and clubs will also not be allowed to re-open until 19 May.

Did you know that we post breaking news on our Instagram story?

You should totally follow us, if not for breaking news, for the Wednesday evening memes.

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CE-Elect Office to start operating soon

The all important Office of the CE-Elect (named so because we don’t know who’s going to be the next Chief Executive) will start operating soon. The office is responsible for ensuring a smooth transition period between the current and new governments.

Traditionally, the office will form a preliminary government, help create a plan using the CE-Elect’s manifesto and liaising between the current and new goverments.

This time around, the ofice will be led by former Director of Administration (and man who looks more tired than me writing High Tide at 5am), Daniel Chung.

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Events and deals

Support Harbour Times, our friends and partners by attending these events! Let everyone know who sent you by tagging @harbourtimes

• TOMORROW:
  Opportunities in ESG: Irish Chamber of Commerce x ReThink

As a long-term supporter of both the Irish community in HK and of ReThink, this event is pretty up our alley.

From the event description:

“ESG investing has become mainstream, and its growth is accelerating in HK, GBA and across the world. [This webinar] aims to explore the various opportunities that exist for both companies and individuals as ESG rises to the top of the corporate agenda.

We will discuss career opportunities, the roles of various stakeholders, the critical talent gaps that exist, the impact of technology and how to incorporate industry-leading ESG practices in your business”

When: 5 May, 5-6 PM
Where: Online
Cost: $50 (Irish CC non-members; free for members)
Sign up here.

For other local events, check out our weekly roundup on Instagram

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