Patrick Lam, the former acting chief editor of Stand News in Hong Kong, is fighting to overturn his conviction for publishing materials deemed “seditious.” Alongside former chief editor Chung Pui-kuen, Lam was found guilty of “conspiracy to publish and reproduce seditious publications” last month at Wan Chai’s District Court. The outlet’s parent company was also convicted of the colonial-era sedition charge.
Despite initially receiving a 14-month jail term, Lam was able to walk free after District Judge Kwok Wai-kin considered his 10 months spent in pre-trial detention and his poor health condition. Chung, on the other hand, is currently serving a 21-month prison sentence.
Lam recently lodged an appeal seeking to overturn his conviction, citing health grounds. His defense counsel, Audrey Eu, submitted medical reports showing that Lam has a condition that has severely impacted his kidney function.
Stand News, the media outlet at the center of the case, was forced to close in 2021 after a raid by national security police. The outlet’s closure was followed by charges against the two editors and the parent company under the sedition offense. District Judge Kwok ruled that the editors were not engaged in genuine journalism but instead participating in the “so-called resistance” during the 2019 protests and unrest.
The court found that Stand News had published 11 articles deemed seditious, with the content being critical of Beijing authorities, the Hong Kong government, police, and the judiciary. These articles were deemed to have potentially detrimental consequences to national security, according to Kwok.
The case has sparked discussions about press freedom and the limits of expression in Hong Kong. The outcome of Lam’s appeal will be closely watched as it could set a precedent for future cases involving the publication of sensitive materials.
James Lee, a reporter at Hong Kong Free Press, has been following the developments in this case closely. With a background in English and Journalism, Lee has reported on various social issues and court cases in Hong Kong, including the 47 democrats national security trial. His insights provide valuable context to the ongoing challenges faced by journalists in the region.
