Landmark Sedition Case Against Journalists in Hong Kong: A Test of Press Freedom

Two journalists in Hong Kong face sentencing in a critical sedition case, highlighting concerns about declining media freedom. Chung Pui-kuen and Patrick Lam, former editors at Stand News, were convicted under colonial-era sedition laws for publishing seditious materials. Their trial reflects a broader crackdown on dissent since the 2019 pro-democracy protests.

A Hong Kong court is set to sentence two journalists Thursday in a landmark sedition case that is widely seen as an indicator of media freedom in a city once known as a beacon of press freedom in Asia.

Stand News former editor-in-chief Chung Pui-kuen and former acting editor-in-chief Patrick Lam were the first journalists convicted under a colonial-era sedition law since the former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

The now-shuttered news outlet was one of the last in Hong Kong that dared to criticize authorities as Beijing imposed a crackdown on dissidents following massive pro-democracy protests in 2019.

Last month, the court found Chung and Lam guilty of conspiracy to publish and reproduce seditious publications. They face up to two years in prison and a fine of 5,000 Hong Kong dollars (about $640). Judge Kwok Wai-king ruled that Stand News had become a tool for smearing the Beijing and Hong Kong governments during the 2019 protests.

On Thursday morning, dozens of residents were in lines to secure a seat in the courtroom. Former Stand News reader Andrew Wong, 35, said he wanted to attend the hearing to show his support though he felt like 'attending a funeral.' Their trial, which began in October 2022, lasted some 50 days.

Their lawyer Audrey Eu argued for the pair to be sentenced to up to time served, saying their case was different because they were journalists whose responsibility was to report on the city's situation and different people's views.