RTHK contributor Bao Choy Yuk-ling, who co-produced an episode of the television show Hong Kong Connection on the July 21 incident, was arrested on suspicion of making a false declaration when searching for personal details of car owners in the government database, reports The South China Morning Post.

She was accused of violating the Road Traffic Ordinance by using the information she obtained for a purpose other than what she had stated when applying for access, the newspaper reported.

A police source told the newspaper that the investigation was prompted by a complaint from a member of the public and a referral from the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data.

Choy was later released on bail.

She was reportedly charged with two counts of making false statements under the Road Traffic Ordinance.

Choy’s arrest triggered immediate alarm and condemnation among journalist groups, scholars and opposition politicians, who accused police of using the law to suppress regular reporting activities and creating a chilling effect on investigative journalism, reports The South China Morning Post.

“Choy conducted searches in the interests of the public. The high-profile arrest is a clear warning from the government that journalists should stop doing something similar,” Professor Clement So York-kee, of the Chinese University of Hong Kong’s journalism school, was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

As the head of RTHK, director of broadcasting Leung Ka-wing was quoted as saying by the newspaper: “We are afraid, we are worried, whether we can continue producing accurate news the way we did before.”

After the release, the scribe said her arrest would affect how journalists gathered news in the future.

“Unfortunately, with police using the July 21 report as a reason or backdrop to arrest a journalist, I fear it has already created worry among the public who may suspect police are using this to suppress freedom of the press or even cause a chilling effect,” she said.

“I hope news workers in Hong Kong can continue to uphold their values, be unflinching, fearless and impartial.”