Hong Kong (China)

Jimmy Lai, founder of a pro-democracy newspaper in Hong Kong, was sentenced to 13 months in jail for his alleged role in a 2020 vigil marking the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre.

The Hong Kong correspondent for the “Economist”, Sue-lin Wong, was notified by the Immigration Department that her work visa was not extended, with no explanation given. The Hong Kong Journalists Association is concerned that this could reflect a “tightening grip over foreign media in Hong Kong.”

The annual report of the Hong Kong Journalists Association highlighted the deterioration of media freedom in Hong Kong after the passage of the National Security Law.

Angeli Datt writes about the Beijing-backed actions that led to the dismantling of freedom of expression in Hong Kong.

A joint statement by eight Hong Kong press union and media groups described the raid and arrests targeting independent media group Apple Daily as shocking and a threat to press freedom. The groups added that the incident and the authorities’ remarks have spread fear and panic among journalists.

500 Hong Kong police officers raided the office of “Apple Daily”, a publication owned by Jimmy Lai who is in prison for his role in democracy protests. Five editors were arrested. Media groups said the raid and arrests “are designed to create a chilling effect and intimidate journalists and media in Hong Kong.”

Chris Yeung, the chair of the Hong Kong Journalists Association, writes about the decision of Hong Kong authorities to ban activities commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen massacre.

Of the 367 responding journalists, 91 percent said press freedom in Hong Kong had worsened compared to a year ago. The survey was commissioned by the Hong Kong Journalists Association.

Hong Kong media groups said the conviction of journalist Bao Choy Yuk Ling, who accessed a government database for an investigative report regarding a mob attack against protesters in 2019, could have a chilling effect on the industry.

Seven of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy figures were convicted of organizing and taking part in an “unauthorized assembly” in August 2019. It was a massive protest attended by more than a million people who were protesting the proposed amendments to the extradition law.

The Chinese regulator said that the British broadcaster has broken rules on truth and impartiality.

Freedom House said the unprecedented crackdown reveals the intention of the Chinese Communist Party to suppress any effort by Hong Kongers to salvage democratic representation.

Three youth activists were handed prison sentences for their involvement in a protest held in front of police headquarters last year, while the owner of a pro-democracy newspaper will be held in custody on fraud charges until at least next April.

In a letter sent to Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam, several media groups urge the government to open up searches of information. This was prompted by the filing of a case against RTHK producer Bao Choy who was charged after accessing a government vehicle database for an investigative report.

Freedom House compiles information on how China’s National Security Law is undermining academic freedom in Hong Kong.

The unilateral revision, which is supposed to identify ‘fake journalists’, is likened to an ‘official accreditation system’ and will ‘seriously impede press freedom in Hong Kong’.