Hong Kong Denies Journalist Haze Fan Visa After China Detention
Bloomberg has informed its employees that Chinese journalist Haze Fan has been denied a visa to work at their Hong Kong bureau, as reported by HKFP. Fan, who had previously been detained in China, has now resumed her duties at the London newsroom.
According to a notice sent to Bloomberg staff via the Bloomberg terminal on Monday, Editor-in-Chief John Micklethwait expressed the outlet’s disappointment at the visa denial. The notice stated that they had hoped to relocate Fan to their Hong Kong bureau, but the immigration authorities declined to issue her a visa without providing an explanation.
After verifying the news with sources familiar with the matter, HKFP reached out to Fan for comment, while Bloomberg chose not to comment on the situation.
Micklethwait announced, “I am delighted to announce that more than three years after she was detained by Chinese authorities (and eventually released without charge), Haze Fan has now started to work for us again – in the London newsroom.”
Fan, who was a staff member at Bloomberg’s bureau in Beijing, was seen being escorted from her apartment building by plainclothes security officials in December 2020. She was formally arrested in July 2021 on suspicion of committing crimes endangering national security.
The Immigration Department declined to comment on Fan’s case when approached by HKFP, stating that they act in accordance with laws and policies in handling each application.
China has been ranked as one of the most hostile places for journalists, with a ranking of 172nd out of 180 countries in a list published by Reporters Without Borders in May.
Fan was released on bail in January 2022 after being detained. Bloomberg only became aware of her release months later. Micklethwait expressed encouragement at her release in a news report.
In a notice dated Monday, Micklethwait thanked those who supported Fan during her ordeal, including outside organizations that advocated for her. He also commended Bloomberg’s newsroom in China for their support and praised their work in challenging circumstances.
Before joining Bloomberg’s Beijing bureau in 2017, Fan held producer roles at CNBC, Al Jazeera, CBS, and Reuters.
Press Freedom Challenges in Hong Kong
Hong Kong has seen a decline in international press freedom rankings since the implementation of the national security law. The arrest of journalists, raids on newsrooms, and the closure of media outlets such as Apple Daily have raised concerns. Over 1,000 journalists have lost their jobs, leading to an exodus from the city.
Despite Chief Executive John Lee’s assertion that press freedom is protected in Hong Kong, watchdogs remain skeptical due to government actions such as the closure of news and satirical shows on RTHK.
Visa Denials for Journalists
Fan’s visa denial is not an isolated incident. In 2020, Hong Kong Free Press was denied a work visa for an Irish journalist working for Bloomberg, while journalists from The New York Times and The Financial Times faced similar rejections. In 2021, a visa application for a reporter from The Economist was also denied without explanation.
Government officials have been reluctant to respond to media inquiries, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in Hong Kong’s press landscape.
Support for Press Freedom
As Hong Kong grapples with challenges to press freedom, organizations like HKFP play a crucial role in promoting transparency and accountability. By supporting independent journalism, readers can help safeguard press freedom and ensure that diverse voices continue to be heard in Hong Kong.
Conclusion
The denial of Haze Fan’s visa highlights the ongoing challenges faced by journalists in Hong Kong. As the city navigates political changes and restrictions on press freedom, it is essential for media outlets and individuals to advocate for transparency and accountability. By supporting independent journalism, we can uphold the values of a free and vibrant press in Hong Kong.