Thu Sep 26 13:28:58 UTC 2024: ## Hong Kong Journalists Sentenced for Sedition in Landmark Press Freedom Case
**Hong Kong, China -** Two former journalists from the now-defunct Hong Kong news site Stand News were sentenced to prison on Thursday for sedition, marking a significant blow to press freedom in the city.
Chung Pui-Kuen, the outlet’s former editor-in-chief, was sentenced to 21 months, while Patrick Lam, the former acting editor-in-chief, received an 11-month sentence. Lam was immediately released due to time already served during the two-year trial.
The pair had been found guilty last month of conspiring to publish and reproduce seditious articles, specifically 11 articles deemed seditious by the court. These articles featured stories on pro-democracy activists and commentary from pro-democracy figures. The prosecution argued that the articles promoted “illegal ideologies,” portraying Stand News as a political platform rather than a news outlet.
The sentencing has been met with widespread condemnation from press freedom groups and journalists. Ronson Chan, a former Stand News editor, described the verdict as bittersweet, expressing happiness for Lam’s release but sorrow for Chung’s continued imprisonment.
The Hong Kong Journalist Association (HKJA) stated that the sentences expose “real risks” for journalism in the city, highlighting the “ongoing decline of press freedom in Hong Kong.”
Aleksandra Bielakowska of Reporters Without Borders (RSF) called the verdict “another nail in the coffin for press freedom in Hong Kong,” further restricting journalistic freedom in the city.
This case represents the first sedition case against journalists in Hong Kong since the handover from Britain to China in 1997. Stand News was known for its critical reporting on the Chinese government and its crackdown on pro-democracy protests in 2019.
The sentencing follows a broader crackdown on press freedom in Hong Kong, with the introduction of the National Security Law in 2020, which has led to the arrests of numerous journalists and the closure of several media outlets.
The HKJA emphasizes that safeguarding national security should not come at the cost of free speech and a free press, essential for maintaining Hong Kong’s stability and prosperity.
With Hong Kong’s international press freedom ranking plummeting in recent years, concerns regarding the future of independent media in the city remain high.
First Piper 