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Update: Hong Kong Journalists Found Guilty of Sedition
Published: 06:30 UTC, | Updated: 08:00 UTC
Two journalists from the Hong Kong-headquartered news organization Stand News have been found guilty of sedition under the city’s colonial-era sedition laws, in a move that has drawn widespread international condemnation.
Gary Fan, 52, and Philip Yang, 40, were the first to be convicted in nearly 20 years under the laws, which human rights groups and freedom of press advocates say are being abused to silence dissent in the city. A third co-accused, Alice Wu, was cleared of the charges.
The verdict delivers a major blow to press freedom in the Chinese-ruled territory and raises concerns about the erosion of rule of law in Hong Kong. The development comes at a time when the region is still reeling from ongoing protests and pro-democracy reforms.
According to court officials, the conviction stems from editorials published in Stand News about the 2019 pro-democracy protests and calls for the city to increase its autonomy from mainland China. Magistrate Robina Chan saw the content as "clearly seditionary."
The ruling has sparked calls for urgent reform to Hong Kong’s sedition laws, which critics view as vague and overly broad.
KEY DEVELOPMENTS
- Sedition convictions: Gary Fan and Philip Yang, both Senior Editors at Stand News, face up to 3 years in jail following the verdict.
- Prosecution case: Hong Kong prosecution argued the journalists’ comments were "intentionally directed at causing disaffection" and were a "gravely" offense against the government’s authority.
- International scrutiny: The United States, European Union, United Kingdom, and human rights organizations join the chorus of criticism over the conviction and the city’s growing restrictions on political dissent.
TAGS AND HIGHLIGHTS
Hong Kong Sedition Conviction
Freedom of Press
- US, EU, UK condemn sentencing
- UN High Commissioner expresses concern
Sedition laws
- Abuses of power reported
-
Reforms urged, citing overbreadth
Hong Kong Protest - 2019 pro-democracy movement prompts calls for change
China
- Tightening grip over autonomy
- Increasing influence over global affairs
News Corporation
- Standards and practices guidelines ignored
- Impact on local press and media feared
Related stories
- Journalists jailed under Hong Kong ‘fake news’ law
- Critics slam ‘arbitrary and vague’ charges
- Can Hong Kong still maintain its autonomy, or will Beijing take firmer control?
Stay tuned for additional updates and developments as this story breaks.
[World] – Two Stand News journalists in Hong Kong found guilty of sedition | Guardian
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