(To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here.)

Chief Executive Carrie Lam said she rejects any suggestion that press freedom in Hong Kong is facing extinction due to the shutdown of two online media organisations.

Mrs Lam made the remarks ahead of the Executive Council meeting this morning in response to reporters' questions about the closure of Stand News and Citizen News, noting that there have been criticisms about press freedom in Hong Kong as a result, especially from the Western media.

She emphasised that the recent closures of the media outlets are unrelated to press freedom or the National Security Law's implementation.

“I cannot, on behalf of these two organisations and their responsible people, explain what they mean by a 'chilling effect', but I certainly would strongly refute any allegation that this is related to the implementation of the National Security Law.

“If the implementation of the National Security Law would undermine press freedom, then we would not be seeing any press freedom in the Western world. You name me which Western country does not have a national security law? They have national security legislation far more draconian than the Hong Kong National Security Law.

“I read news about, because of the closure of online media, press freedom in Hong Kong faces extinction or Hong Kong free press faces collapse. I just cannot accept that sort of allegations.”

Mrs Lam stressed that it is critical for those in the media industry to always abide by the law.

“Nothing is more important than the rule of law in Hong Kong and journalists and media organisations, like all of us, have to respect and comply with the law.”