In a landmark ruling, a Hong Kong court has found two editors of the now-defunct Stand News media outlet guilty of conspiring to publish seditious articles. This case has international implications and sheds light on the state of media freedom in the China-ruled city.
Chung Pui-kuen and Patrick Lam, the two editors in question, could face up to two years in jail for their actions. This is the first sedition conviction against journalists or editors in Hong Kong since the handover from Britain to China in 1997.
Critics, including the U.S. government, have raised concerns about the deteriorating media freedoms in Hong Kong under the national security crackdown. Stand News, once a prominent online media outlet known for its critical reporting, was raided by police in December 2021 and subsequently shut down.
Chung, 54, Lam, 36, and the outlet's parent company, Best Pencil (Hong Kong) Ltd, were all charged with conspiracy to publish seditious publications. The charges stemmed from 17 news articles and commentaries published between July 2020 and December 2021.
Both Chung and Lam had pleaded not guilty, but only Chung was present in court for the verdict. The judge emphasized the potential danger to national security in considering seditious intent.
In summary, this case highlights the challenges facing media freedom in Hong Kong and the implications of national security crackdowns on journalists. It serves as a reminder of the importance of press freedom and the risks faced by those who seek to report on sensitive issues in authoritarian regimes.