Former chairperson of the Journalists Association, Chen Langsheng, has appealed against the charge of “obstructing official duty”. On the previous day (29th), the court ruled against him, upheld the original verdict, and ordered him to immediately serve a 5-day prison sentence. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) issued a statement expressing strong dissatisfaction with the ruling.
Aleksandra Bielakowska, RSF’s Advocacy Manager for the Asia-Pacific region, pointed out that as a representative figure in Hong Kong’s independent journalism community, Chen Langsheng’s imprisonment on “trumped-up charges” reflects the authorities’ determination to silence independent media.
RSF stated that this ruling sets a “dangerous precedent,” granting excessive power to the police and further eroding the already compromised press freedom.
According to RSF, the Hong Kong Journalists Association, which has been defending press freedom since 1968, has in recent years become a target of attacks by the government and pro-Beijing supporters. They face ongoing pressures including “random” tax audits, surveillance, and doxxing, making it one of the few remaining independent organizations in the city.
The case details that in September 2022, Chen Langsheng, representing the independent media outlet “Channel C,” went to Mong Kok to cover a special owners’ meeting at Lang Ping Estate. During the coverage, an undercover police officer deemed his behavior “suspicious” and attempted to obstruct his work. Chen was immediately arrested after questioning the officer’s actions.
According to the “World Press Freedom Index” released by Reporters Without Borders in 2026, Hong Kong’s ranking among 180 countries and regions has dropped significantly from 18th place in 2002 to 140th place. Since 2020, at least 28 journalists in Hong Kong have been prosecuted by the government, with 9 still in detention. Meanwhile, mainland China ranks 178th in the same index.