香港保安局長鄧炳強近日批評香港記者協會換屆選舉缺乏認受性，聲稱參選人「全部來自外媒、自由媒體、網媒，沒有香港主流媒體人士」[1]，並指記協不公布參選人名單是「黑箱作業」[1]。鄧炳強並警告稱，若從事危害國家安全、勾結外部勢力及顛覆國家政權的行為，「須後果自負」[1]。
香港記協主席鄭嘉如以個人名義回應，強調記協依據《職工會條例》及會章舉行選舉，選舉資訊已向全體會員公布[1]。記協表示，因近年選舉受到「嚴重滋擾以至恐嚇」，決定不向公眾發布選舉資訊[1]。鄭嘉如進一步表明，記協歡迎任何在港工作的新聞工作者參與[1]，並強調記協每年按法律要求向職工登記局提交執委名單[1]。此外，記協長期關注海外媒體記者在港的待遇和權益[1]。
Hong Kong's Security Bureau Secretary Tang Ping-keung criticized the Hong Kong Journalists Association's leadership election, alleging that all candidates came from foreign and independent media outlets and claiming the association failed to publicly disclose the candidate list.[1] Tang also warned that those engaged in activities endangering national security, colluding with external forces, or subverting state power "must bear the consequences."[1]
In response, Journalists Association chairwoman Cheng Ka-yu stated in her personal capacity that the election was conducted in accordance with the Trade Unions Ordinance and the association's constitution, with election information disclosed to all members.[1] The association decided to withhold election details from the public due to "serious disruption and threats" in recent years, though it continues to submit the executive committee roster to the Labour Department as legally required.[1] Cheng emphasized that the association welcomes participation from any news workers based in Hong Kong and has long been concerned with protecting the treatment and rights of overseas media journalists operating in the city.[1]