In a landmark case, former Stand News editor Chung Pui-kuen has been sentenced to 21 months in prison, becoming the first journalist jailed under a colonial-era sedition law in Hong Kong since its transfer to China. The court found Chung guilty of publishing seditious articles during the 2019 protests, leading to serious harm to Hong Kong and China. Despite serving nearly a year in pre-trial detention, Chung waved at his family in the courtroom as his colleague Patrick Lam, also sentenced, was released due to a serious health condition.
The trial highlighted the risks faced by journalists in Hong Kong, with Stand News being portrayed as a tool for anti-government sentiments. Despite the conviction, Chung defended the media’s role and emphasized the importance of freedom of speech.
The case underscores the increasing crackdown on media outlets in Hong Kong, following the closure of Apple Daily and the arrest of its owner Jimmy Lai. The sentencing of Chung and Lam reflects a concerning trend of stifling press freedom in the region.
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