Hong Kong journalists face harassment this summer

Over the summer, numerous journalists in Hong Kong faced harassment, as reported by a prominent media professional group. This harassment extended to family members and associates of the journalists, indicating a troubling trend in the city’s media landscape. Selina Cheng, chair of the Hong Kong Journalists Association, highlighted that self-proclaimed patriots sent anonymous complaints to at least 15 journalists’ families and their employers, suggesting a systematic and organized effort to intimidate those associated with the reporters. The threats included warnings that continued association with the journalists could jeopardize national security. Additionally, at least 36 journalists were targeted in Facebook posts that falsely labeled their reporting as inflammatory or illegal. This environment of fear has been exacerbated by the introduction of the national security law in 2020, which has led to the closure of critical news outlets like Apple Daily and Stand News. The Hong Kong government maintains that factual reporting should not face restrictions, yet the reality on the ground suggests otherwise. The enactment of a new security law in March has further deepened concerns regarding civil liberties and press freedom in the region. The conviction of two former editors from Stand News in a sedition case has raised alarms about the future of media freedoms in Hong Kong. As a result of these developments, Hong Kong's ranking in the World Press Freedom Index has plummeted, reflecting the deteriorating state of press freedom in the city, once considered a stronghold of journalistic independence in Asia.