The government plans to require land-register searches to meet specified purposes, including public interest. News organisations would not be exempt under the proposed arrangements.
Bernadette Linn Hon-ho, the Secretary for Development, describes the change as a rationalisation of the system, rather than a tightening. She discussed the plans on a television programme on 8 November.
Linn said the register is maintained to promote property-market development and that there should be a balance between the principle of maintaining the register and protecting privacy.
She believes journalists could still use searches for public-interest investigations, citing large unauthorised building works, occupation of government land outside houses and checking whether senior officials have declared property.