Getty reportedly in list of firms unable to cover John Lee inauguration

Getty Images has reportedly not been invited by the HKSAR government from covering the inauguration of incoming leader John Lee, and other events celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Handover on 1 July 2022. MARKETING-INTERACTIVE has reached out to Getty Images for a statement.

Getty Images, which is a visual media company, has long been a staple stock image library for many in the creative field as it supplies stock images, editorial photography, video and music for business and consumers. Its core brands are Getty Images, iStock and Unsplash. Users of Getty Images’ services are those in the creative advertising and graphics field, the media industry, and in house marketing and communications departments. Earlier this year, it also inked a multi year partnership with Candy Digital, the next generation digital collectible company to create Getty Images NFTs.

According to HKFP and InMedia HK, other notable publications named include Japan’s Nikkei, Taiwan’s CTV, as well as Hong Kong’s InMedia, PSHK, TMHK and HKFP. InMedia HK also stated it has reached out to the ISD for further elaborations and the government also allegedly replied that it “adopted suitable media arrangements after taking into consideration the latest epidemic situation, security requirements and venue constraints”.

In a statement given to MARKETING-INTERACTIVE, the Information Services Department said: "Regarding the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region's 25th anniversary celebration events, the Government has adopted suitable media arrangements after taking into consideration the latest epidemic situation, security requirements and venue constraints, etc. These factors pose impact on the number of media organisations being invited to apply for accreditation."

The Hong Kong Journalists Association said in a statement on 16 June 2022 that it was “deeply concerned” by the move, asking the city’s authorities “to be more inclusive by accepting applications from media organisations keen to attend”. Meanwhile, in April, Reporters Without Borders released the international press freedom ranking, with Hong Kong diving 68 places to 148th, sandwiching the international business hub between the Philippines and Turkey.

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