The government has rejected allegations by a group of western nations that the national security law has suppressed press freedom here.

In a statement published late on Friday, a government spokesman said the SAR “strongly disapproved of and firmly rejected the fact-twisting remarks and baseless smears” by the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC), which earlier issued its own statement expressing concern about press freedoms here.

More than twenty western countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, signed the MFC) statement.

The spokesman said the media landscape in Hong Kong is as vibrant as ever, noting that 213 media organisations are registered with the Information Services Department.

"As always, the media can exercise their freedom of the press in accordance with the law. Their freedom of commenting on and criticising government policies remains uninhibited as long as this is not in violation of the law," the spokesman said.

The statement also said law enforcement actions are carried out based on evidence and have nothing to do with press freedom, or the background of any person or organisation.

The spokesman added that slandering attempts by any foreign countries to undermine Hong Kong's rule of law, prosperity and stability will be doomed to fail, while the SAR will continue to safeguard national security while protecting the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong people in accordance with the law.