In a landmark ruling, a Hong Kong court convicted two former editors for publishing seditious articles about pro-democracy activists, marking the first sedition charges against journalists in decades and raising concerns about press freedom.
The editors, Chung Pui-kuen and Patrick Lam from Stand News, were found guilty of conspiring to publish seditious material, punishable by up to two years in jail. This trial was closely watched as a test of press freedom following China’s crackdown on dissent in response to 2019 protests.
Authorities cited articles with “seditious intentions” attacking the national security law and Beijing without basis, leading to the conviction. The verdict drew criticism from the U.S., UK, and EU, who viewed it as an attack on media freedom.
The case underscores the decline of press freedom in Hong Kong, with sedition laws being used to target journalists. The city’s reputation as a free speech haven is at risk, prompting worries about the rule of law.
Stand News, known for its protest coverage, shut down following raids, echoing the fate of Apple Daily. With global condemnation growing, Hong Kong’s press freedom ranking has plummeted, highlighting the chilling effect on journalism in the city.
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