On August 29, 2024, in a comprehensive report from Hong Kong by the newspaper “Stand News,” the parent company of the “Stand News,” former chief editor Chung Pui Kuen and acting editor-in-chief Lam Siu Tung were charged with “conspiring to publish seditious publications.” Judge Kwok Wai-kin designated by the National Security Law ruled the three defendants guilty in the District Court. The Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) views this case as a clear reflection of the decline in press freedom in Hong Kong. It strongly opposes the use of sedition charges and other laws to prosecute individuals exercising their rights to engage in journalistic work as per the Basic Law.
Lam Siu Tung was absent from the trial due to illness, while Chung Pui Kuen and Lam Siu Tung’s wife were present in court. The judge postponed sentencing to September 26 at 2:30 PM, allowing the two defendants to remain on bail pending sentencing.
The judge ruled that out of the 17 articles involved in the case, 11 had seditious intent, including interviews with Hé Guīlán, and blog articles by Chen Pei Min and Au Ka-lam.
In a letter submitted to the court, Chung Pui Kuen first mentioned his wife, Chen Pei Min, as one of the earliest Hong Kong journalists to fly to the scene after the March 2011 earthquake in Northeast Japan. Despite the worsening situation at the Fukushima nuclear power plant, many foreign journalists evacuated Japan early, but she chose to stay, reporting from multiple disaster sites and documenting the events. Quoting his wife, Chung stated, “If there were a greater disaster in Japan, shouldn’t she stay and continue reporting rather than give up?”
Chung continued in his letter, expressing that he knows many Hong Kong journalists, including many former colleagues at “Stand News,” who share similar beliefs in both the past and present. They are committed to staying in the field of journalism, witnessing and recording real stories, listening to and documenting diverse thoughts, believing that these stories and ideas can stimulate and inspire people to think, reflect the times, and shape history.
He further emphasized that many Hong Kong people who are not journalists are willing to sacrifice their own freedoms for the freedom and dignity of others in the community. “Documenting and reporting their stories and thoughts truthfully is an unavoidable responsibility for journalists.”
In his letter, Lam Siu Tung mentioned that everyone involved in “Stand News” shared the same ideal: to operate a fully editorially independent media organization in Hong Kong. He believes that “Stand News” was able to survive for seven years largely because readers want to see news that is truly independent of corporate interests, sponsors, power, or party influences.
Lam stated, “As press freedom falls from the sky in these final moments, we continue to endure under tremendous pressure, not shaming our time.” He declared, “We uncover nearly buried truths, even in the face of great difficulties. We speak for the powerless, the vulnerable, and the minority, even facing condemnation and attacks. We strive to document Hong Kong as these people and events disappear, trying our best to leave behind the first draft of history.”
He believes that the key to this case is press freedom and freedom of speech. Journalists not only have a responsibility for their reporting but also act irresponsibly if they deliberately avoid reporting when the public has the right to know. “The only way for journalists to defend press freedom is through reporting, just like each one who remains steadfast at their post today. I’m just one of them who happens to be a defendant.”
Following the guilty verdict in the “Stand News” case, the HKJA issued a statement stating that this case clearly indicates the decline of press freedom in Hong Kong. The damage caused to the journalism industry in Hong Kong by this case is irreversible even before the verdict is pronounced.
The statement pointed out that following the search of “Stand News” in 2021, a survey the following year revealed that 97% of surveyed journalists believed that the case has caused significant harm to press freedom. The original presiding judge in the “Stand News” case was replaced at the last moment before the trial began, which lasted nearly 60 days, almost three times longer than originally planned. The prosecution significantly expanded the scope of the case after the trial began, not only reviewing articles, interviews, and commentary by “Stand News” but also interrogating the defendants word by word on the intent behind their edits, reporters, and words.
The statement also highlighted that at the beginning of the year, the government increased the maximum penalty for sedition to 7 years of imprisonment, further intensifying concerns among journalists and deepening the chilling effect, causing more serious damage to press freedom.
In the courtroom, all 165 seats for the public were filled with attendees such as consuls from England, the United States, France, the European Union, Australia, Canada, former HKJA chairpersons, veteran media personalities, former legislators, senior police officers, “Stand News” readers, former employees, among others.