A former editor in Hong Kong has been sentenced to 21 months in jail for conspiring to publish seditious articles, while another editor was immediately released due to health reasons. The ruling, which has sparked international outcry, marks the first time journalists have been found guilty of sedition since the handover of Hong Kong in 1997.
The convicted editors, Chung Pui-kuen and Patrick Lam from the now-defunct Stand News media outlet, were known for their coverage of the city’s 2019 pro-democracy protests and the subsequent national security crackdown. Despite facing a maximum sentence of two years in prison and a fine, Lam was released on health grounds while Chung must serve around 10 months in jail.
The sentencing was witnessed by Western diplomats and international organizations, calling on Hong Kong authorities to review the court’s decision. Judge Kwok Wai-kin highlighted that Stand News supported Hong Kong local autonomy, emphasizing the importance of press freedom amidst political tensions with Beijing.
As the government continues its crackdown on dissent, the case underscores the ongoing battle for media freedom and civil rights in Hong Kong.
