The Hong Kong court recently delivered a harsh blow to media freedom, sentencing pro-democracy mogul Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison. In a chilling move, six former employees of his now-defunct newspaper also received lengthy sentences, clearly redefining the boundaries of press freedom in the city.
Apple Daily, once a beacon of independent journalism and a widely read voice in Hong Kong, was tragically forced to close its doors in 2021 amid a severe crackdown on dissent. This vibrant, often sensational, and fiercely pro-democracy publication was more than just a newspaper; for many Hong Kongers, it embodied the civil liberties that have steadily eroded under Beijing’s tightening control.
On Monday, the court imposed a decade-long prison sentence on the newspaper’s prominent editorial figures: Editor-in-Chief Law Wai-kwong, Executive Editor Lam Man-chung, and opinion writer Fung Wai-kong.
Further severe penalties were issued to other staff members: editorial writer Yeung Ching-kee received seven years and three months, associate publisher Chan Pui-man was given seven years, and publisher Cheung Kim-hung received six years and nine months.
These new sentences surpass those handed down in 2024 to editors of another now-closed pro-democracy platform, Stand News. Chung Pui-kuen and his successor, Patrick Lam, were found guilty of publishing seditious content. Mr. Chung received 21 months, while Mr. Lam, due to serious health issues, was sentenced to the time he had already served, which was just under a year.
Activists and journalistic organizations worldwide have condemned these prosecutions, highlighting a severe regression in Hong Kong’s press freedom and creating uncertainty around what constitutes legitimate journalistic work. While the government defends its actions by insisting journalists must adhere to local laws, critics argue that the broad application of these laws stifles free reporting.
The boundaries for reporting have undeniably shifted. Numerous journalists and photographers have been denied work visas or outright banned from entering Hong Kong. This includes an Associated Press photographer who had previously captured images of Mr. Lai within a barbed-wire enclosure, underscoring the severe restrictions.
Many local news organizations have ceased covering the activities of exiled Hong Kong activists who speak out against China’s escalating control. Advocates for press freedom warn that the national security laws, with their ambiguous definitions of ‘external interference,’ pose immense risks, allowing for broad interpretation that criminalizes routine journalistic practice.
“The rule of law has been utterly destroyed in Hong Kong,” stated Jodie Ginsberg, CEO of the Committee to Protect Journalists, following Mr. Lai’s sentencing. She added, “Today’s outrageous verdict serves as the definitive end for press freedom in Hong Kong.”