Thu Sep 26 13:02:13 UTC 2024: ## Hong Kong Journalists Jailed for Sedition, Sparking Global Outcry
**Hong Kong** – In a landmark case that has sparked global condemnation, two former editors of the now-defunct pro-democracy news outlet, Stand News, have been sentenced to prison under a colonial-era sedition law.
Former editor-in-chief Chung Pui-kuen, 55, was sentenced to 21 months, while his colleague, former acting editor-in-chief Patrick Lam, 36, received an 11-month sentence. Lam was released due to time already served in custody.
This marks the first time journalists have been imprisoned under the sedition law since Hong Kong’s return to Chinese rule in 1997. The conviction has drawn sharp criticism from international organizations, with the US labeling it a “direct attack on media freedom” and the EU calling for Hong Kong to “stop prosecuting journalists.”
The pair were found guilty of conspiracy to publish and reproduce seditious materials for articles deemed critical of the Beijing and Hong Kong governments. The judge ruled that the articles, published under their leadership, carried “seditious intent” and incited hatred against the authorities.
The conviction comes amid a broader crackdown on dissent in Hong Kong following the 2019 pro-democracy protests. Stand News, one of the few outlets remaining that criticized authorities, was raided and shut down in December 2021.
The sentencing has been met with deep concern over the deteriorating state of press freedom in Hong Kong. Amnesty International described it as “another bleak day” for the city’s media, warning of a “chilling effect” that will discourage criticism of authorities.
Hong Kong’s ranking on the World Press Freedom Index has plummeted in recent years, reflecting the shrinking space for independent journalism. The case of Stand News’ editors highlights the growing pressure on journalists and underscores the broader erosion of freedoms in the city.
First Piper 