For a long time, independent news media in Hong Kong operated with minimal interference by the Chinese Communist Party. In recent years, the pro-Beijing government has tightened its grip on the city. Some have closed, while others continue to produce independent content. They face economic pressures and are vulnerable to takeover by mainland-linked actors. The United States should step in to help defend media freedom in Hong Kong.
A major player in the independent media space in Hong Kong is the South China Morning Post, which faces threats of ownership by a Chinese state entity. It is also facing the prospect of being sold to an individual, or becoming a propaganda outlet. However, the owner, Jack Ma, has managed to retain journalist independence in his paper.
A petition calling for the restoration of reporting freedoms in Hong Kong has been filed with the Hong Kong government. This aims to cover a variety of issues, including the recent degradation of press liberties in the city. Among the concerns are the arrests and prosecution of dozens of journalists for political crimes.
The petition cites the recent arrests of twelve reporters and one media professional for allegedly conspiring to publish “seditious publications” or “colluding with foreign forces”. Protests sparked by the controversial extradition bill have shaken the city, with four deaths reported. While some protests have been peaceful, the government has been tightening its grip on students for their political activities. According to a Reporters Without Borders report, 18 reporters and media professionals have been arrested since the introduction of the National Security Law.
As of late, a number of smaller independent media outlets are being forced to close. One of the last remaining pro-democracy newspapers, Citizen News, shut down in January 2022. Another, the Hong Kong Free Press, launched a tip-off line that received over 200,000 messages in its first year of operation. Yet another, Initium Media, relocated to Singapore.
The police have been aggressively using the NSL as a weapon in the ongoing crackdown. At least 20 arrests have been made for actions before the law was introduced. Those charges have helped investigators get search warrants and conduct raids. David, a 17-year-old high school student, is also a prominent figure in the recent protests. He has been involved in a series of pacifist protests, mostly solo. He has been interviewed by the local press, and has gathered 28,000 followers on Facebook.
Another alleged perpetrator is a 25-year-old TVB post-production staffer who was accused of inciting people to damage MTR facilities and a broadcast station. Meanwhile, the director of a Hong Kong drama was forced to resign after an apparent reference to the protest movement.
As a result of the security law, the Chinese Communist Party is able to control much of Hong Kong’s society. There have been over 1,000 arrests of political activists in the past two years, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists. If a new wave of enforcement efforts emerges, English-language outlets could be targeted.