China choking the truth: The decline of Press Freedom in Hong Kong

An era of silence seems to have settled over Hong Kong as the assaults against journalists and pro-democracy advocates continue. The recent conviction of two leading journalists in Hong Kong, sentenced to a combined 35 months in prison under sedition charges, has cast a long shadow over press freedom in the city. The move is likely to have serious implications for the free press.

LSE graduate Brianna Crummy in her blog wrote that the case served as a litmus test for the current state of the press in Hong Kong, once considered a “bastion” of free press in Asia. With Hong Kong’s low ranking in press freedom currently at 135 out of 180, the case has raised concerns over the continued backsliding of media freedom and what it means for those seeking to report on the government and publish information independent of its influence”, stated the blogger.

The media landscape has literally become unrecognisable.  The Stand News verdict that came in two months ago, is not an isolated event but part of a broader campaign to suppress dissent and curtail the role of independent media by none other than the Chinese leadership.

Crummy wrote that an over-exertion of government intervention in the press creates conditions under which journalists essentially cannot operate out of fear of retribution. It is clear that Beijing seeks to extend the Chinese tradition of the press to Hong Kong through excessive use of the law. As watchdogs around the globe document the ongoing backsliding of the once free Hong Kong media, the future of independent media becomes even more fragile and precarious.

Earlier, Journalists used to operate in a vibrant media ecosystem where political diversity and open criticism of government policies were not only tolerated but often celebrated as hallmarks of the city’s democratic values.

It is no longer the case now. According an article in the East Asia Forum, independent media outlets persist despite the verdict, publishing content on sensitive topics like the Umbrella Movement anniversary, but they operate in a grey area with no guaranteed protections. With harassment of journalists on the rise and financial challenges threatening independent media, maintaining journalistic integrity is a major challenge in Hong Kong. Francis LF Lee, Director and Professor, School of Journalism and Communication, Chinese University of Hong Kong who authored the article in East Asia Forum.

The challenges faced by journalists in Hong Kong are deeply intertwined with the National Security Law (NSL) imposed by Beijing in 2020. In June 2020, Beijing had imposed a sweeping national security law on Hong Kong. Since then, authorities have arrested dozens of pro-democracy activists, lawmakers, and journalists; curbed voting rights; and limited freedoms of the press and speech. In March 2024, Hong Kong lawmakers passed Article 23, an additional security legislation that further cements China’s rule on the city’s rights and freedom.

The Stand News verdict exemplifies how the NSL has reshaped Hong Kong’s media landscape. By incorporating colonial-era sedition laws into national security measures, the government has blurred the lines between journalism and criminality, turning ordinary reporting into a potential offense under the NSL’s wide reach.

This linkage underscores the broader chilling effect of the NSL on Hong Kong’s press. Journalists, once confident in the city’s legal protections for free speech, now operate under the constant threat of prosecution—a stark reminder of how Beijing’s security framework has reshaped the city’s democratic principles.

For many journalists, the use of sedition charges against their peers represents a betrayal of the system they once trusted. Journalism, a profession rooted in truth-telling and holding power to account, has been redefined by the state as a potential threat to national security. The lines between legitimate reporting and sedition have been blurred, creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.

Francis Lf Lee said that  the ruling against Stand News highlighted the arbitrary nature of these new red lines. Articles that criticized the government were deemed seditious for lacking sufficient factual support or failing to present pro-government perspectives. This reasoning undermined the essence of editorial independence, forcing journalists to second-guess their work and self-censor to avoid legal repercussions.

The Stand News case has exacerbated an already pervasive culture of self-censorship. According to Francis, the mainstream press has adopted a much more conservative approach when dealing with politically sensitive or legally risky materials. Self-censorship is also widespread in the society. There are times when the media ignores critical viewpoints not because the media are unwilling to cover them, but because media organisations find it difficult to get these viewpoints on record, especially when sensitive political or legal matters are concerned.

This erosion of press freedom does not only harm journalists but also the public they serve. When critical voices are silenced, society loses access to diverse perspectives and the ability to hold power accountable. The press becomes a mere extension of the state, disseminating propaganda rather than uncovering the truth.

The ripple effects of these developments extend beyond individual journalists to the industry as a whole. Independent media outlets, already struggling with financial sustainability and limited reach, now face an even steeper uphill battle. The threat of legal action hangs over their heads like a sword of Damocles, forcing them to operate in a perpetual state of caution.

For budding journalists, the Stand News verdict serves as a stark reminder that their profession is no longer protected by the principles of press freedom. The fear of incarceration will undoubtedly influence the type of stories they choose to pursue, limiting the scope and depth of investigative reporting.

This shift will have long-term consequences for the quality of journalism in Hong Kong. When young reporters avoid controversial topics or critical narratives, the media’s role as a watchdog is compromised. The public is left with a sanitized version of the truth, devoid of the hard-hitting stories that challenge power and provoke meaningful change.

Despite these challenges, few Independent online media outlets continue to operate on the fringes, publishing stories that test the boundaries of permissible speech. Their resilience is a testament to the enduring spirit of journalistic integrity in the face of adversity.

These outlets, however, operate in a precarious environment. Financial constraints and the constant threat of harassment make their survival uncertain. The Hong Kong journalists association recently claimed that the members of their executive committee and dozens of other journalists and their families have been subject to various kinds of harassment since June 2024.