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Chung Pui-Kuen, former editor of Stand News, receives a 21-month prison sentence for sedition, prompting the IFJ to condemn the prosecution and call on Hong Kong authorities to uphold press freedom.
NEW DELHI: The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemns the sentencing of the former editor of now-defunct independent news website Stand News Chung Pui-Kuen, calling it a direct attack on press freedom. Chung, sentenced to 21 months in prison on September 26 for sedition, represents another alarming blow to the autonomy of journalists in Hong Kong.
Chung Pui-Kuen, the former editor of Stand News, and Patrick Lam, the former acting editor-in-chief, were both convicted of conspiracy to publish seditious materials. District Court Judge Kwok Wai-kin sentenced Chung to 21 months in prison, while Lam, due to serious health issues, was sentenced to 11 months but immediately released on medical grounds. The sentencing came after a prolonged 22-month trial that began in October 2022 and ended in their conviction on August 29, 2024. The court found 11 out of 17 articles published by Stand News to be seditious, alleging that the content posed a danger to national security.
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The IFJ expressed deep concern over the decision, warning that it would encourage further self-censorship among Hong Kong’s media. They stated, “The recent sentencing of Chung Pui-Luen and Patrick Lam underscores the alarming decline of press freedom in Hong Kong seen since 2020. Journalists and media workers must be able to perform their duties without fear of retribution. This decision will only serve to inspire further self-censorship among the city’s embattled media community.”
Stand News, a non-profit digital news outlet, was well-known for its independent coverage of sensitive issues in Hong Kong, particularly after the imposition of the National Security Law in 2020. In December 2021, Stand News was forced to shut down following a police raid in which over 200 national security officers stormed its offices, seizing assets and arresting several staff members. The outlet had gained a large following, with over 1.6 million followers on social media, but its critical reporting made it a target under the new legal framework.
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The sentencing of Chung and Lam is part of a broader crackdown on press freedom in Hong Kong, which has seen the city’s international press freedom ranking plummet. In 2024, Hong Kong ranked 135th in the Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index, a steep decline from its 18th position in 2002.
