Top court to hear Bao Choy’s case on May 3

The Court of Final Appeal on Tuesday agreed to hear additional arguments put forward by former RTHK producer Bao Choy against her conviction for accessing car registration information for a documentary.

Choy was fined HK$6,000 in April 2021, after being found guilty of making false statements to obtain vehicle records.

The Court of First Instance had earlier granted Choy a certificate to apply for leave to appeal to the top court on a legal question of “great and general importance”, namely whether the Transport Commissioner could reject anyone’s application for a car licence plate search that is not related to traffic and transport matters.

Choy is now granted leave by the top court to also argue the definition of “traffic and transport-related matters”, and whether her investigation for a news report falls within that definition.

The Court of Final Appeal will hear the case on May 3.

The 22-minute documentary at the centre of the case uncovered details about a mob attack that took place in Yuen Long on July 21, 2019.

Speaking after Tuesday’s hearing, Choy said she feels calm, adding that she’s only doing what’s appropriate because the case concerns not only herself but also has a bearing on journalists’ work in Hong Kong.

“In relation to this case, I think the public has already reached their own judgment. But by clarifying the law, perhaps it could help the [media] profession in terms of conducting car licence searches or investigative journalism in future,” she said.