08/29/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/29/2024 06:58
On 29 August, Chung Pui-kuen and Patrick Lam, editors-in-chief of the now-defunct independent news outlet Stand News, were found guilty of conspiracy to publish seditious materials by a Hong Kong court. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) condemns this verdict, which sets a dangerous precedent and strikes another blow against the territory's shattered press freedom.
After nearly 3 years and several postponements, on 29 August 2024 a Hong Kong court found the two former editors-in-chief of defunct online media Stand News, Chung Pui-kuenand Patrick Lam,guilty of publishing"seditious publications," in the first sedition case involving media since the United Kingdom handed the territory to China in 1997. The sentences for the journalists, who face up to two years in prison, are yet to be announced.
"This appalling verdict sets a very dangerous precedent for journalists. From now on, anyone reporting on facts that are not in line with the authorities' official narrative could be sentenced for sedition. We renew our call on Hong Kong's authorities to end the continued judicial harassment against two journalists and stop its nefarious campaign against press freedom.
While the trial against Chung and Lam concludedon 29 June 2023, the verdict was postponed several times. The two journalists were detained for nearly a year and were only granted bail under the condition of not leaving the territory, reporting to the police weekly, and not giving interviews to the media. During the trial, at least 17 online articles published between July 2020 and December 2021 were presented by the prosecution, including interviews, profiles and opinion pieces.
A non-profit Chinese-language news site, Stand News was the second most influential independent media after Apple Daily, reaching over 1.7 million followers on Facebook and about 1 million on Instagram before it closed. On 29 December 2021, it was raidedby 200 police officers. Six of its journalists, including Chung and Lam, were arrestedby the police. Later the same day, Stand Newsannounced on social media it would cease publication and dismiss its employees as the company's assets, worth about 61 million Hong Kong dollars (7 million euros), were frozen by the government. Around 70 staff members lost their jobs.
A timeline of the harassment against Stand News
Hong Kong ranks 135th out of 180 countries in RSF's 2024 World Press Freedom Index, plummeting down from 18th place in just two decades. China ranks 172nd of the 180 countries and territories surveyed.