Former Stand News Editors Receive Sentencing in Landmark Sedition Trial
Two former editors of the now-defunct independent Hong Kong media outlet Stand News are set to be sentenced on Thursday afternoon. This trial marks a significant moment in the city’s history as the first sedition trial of journalists since the handover from British to Chinese rule in 1997.
Chung Pui-kuen and Patrick Lam, former editor-in-chief and acting editor-in-chief of Stand News, respectively, will appear before Judge Kwok Wai-kin at Wan Chai’s District Court to hear their sentences at 2.30 pm. The duo, along with Stand News’ parent company, were found guilty last month of participating in a conspiracy to publish and reproduce seditious publications.
During the lengthy trial that commenced in October 2022 and was initially scheduled for just 20 days, the prosecution presented 17 articles published by Stand News as evidence of sedition. The prosecution argued that these articles were aimed at inciting hatred against the authorities.
Judge Kwok ruled that 11 out of the 17 articles were seditious. These included pieces such as an interview with former Stand News journalist turned activist Gwyneth Ho, opinion pieces by self-exiled activist Nathan Law, and commentaries by journalism teacher Allan Au.
Chung was held responsible for publishing 10 of the seditious articles, while Lam was responsible for the remaining one. The court determined that both editors were aware of and supported the seditious intent behind the articles, using Stand News as a platform to incite animosity against Hong Kong and China.
Chung and Lam potentially face up to two years in jail for the sedition offense. The penalties for sedition have been increased to a maximum of 10 years in prison under new security legislation enacted in March, replacing the city’s colonial-era Crimes Ordinance.
The former editors were detained for nearly a year following their arrests in December 2021. They were granted bail after the trial commenced.
Press Freedom Concerns
Stand News gained prominence in 2019 for its coverage of the Hong Kong protests. In December 2021, the newsroom was raided by national security police, resulting in the arrest of seven individuals linked to Stand News. Among them, only Chung and Lam were charged. Following these events, Stand News announced its closure and deleted all its content.
The convictions of Chung and Lam have drawn international condemnation, with governments and NGOs expressing concerns over the decline of press freedom in Hong Kong. Twenty-three partner countries of the Media Freedom Coalition issued a statement expressing grave concerns about the verdict and the broader suppression of media freedom in Hong Kong.
In response, the government dismissed criticisms as fact-twisting remarks and baseless smears. A government spokesperson emphasized that journalists, like everyone else, must abide by the law while retaining the freedom to comment on and criticize government policies within legal boundaries.
Support for Press Freedom
The sentencing of the former Stand News editors has sparked discussions about the state of press freedom in Hong Kong. Many are questioning the impact of these developments on the media landscape and the ability of journalists to operate without fear of reprisal.
It is crucial for journalists to uphold ethical standards and adhere to the law while fulfilling their role as watchdogs of society. Balancing the need for a free press with legal responsibilities remains a delicate challenge, particularly in environments where political tensions run high.
Subheadings:
1. The Trial and Verdict
2. Impact on Press Freedom
3. International Response and Government Reaction
