Press Freedoms Eroded in Hong Kong: Human Rights Group

A man walks along a waterfront next to Victoria Harbour as it rains in Hong Kong on March 23, 2022. (Dale De La Rey/AFP)

On Feb. 14, 2023, The United Nations Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights held a meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, to review a report sent by Beijing which gave an account of Hong Kong and Macau.

Hong Kong Watch, a British non-governmental organization advocating for the human rights situation in Hong Kong, submitted its report and urged the United Nation Committee to closely observe the impact of the National Security Law on Hong Kong’s cultural rights and trade union rights.

“Almost all independent and pro-democracy media outlets have been forced to close down after the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law, 18 journalists have been arrested, and 12 journalists and senior media executives are still awaiting trial in prison,” reported Hong Kong Watch.

It criticized that Hong Kong is no longer a haven for press freedom and media professionals. Many Hong Kong journalists have left Hong Kong due to potential threats and alarming risks. The departed reporters organized journalists’ unions overseas instead. Multiple trade unions dissolved in the past two years.

Deterioration of Press Freedom

The report cited the results of the member survey released by the Hong Kong Foreign Correspondents’ Club (FCC) in November 2021. It’s reported that 84 percent of the interviewed journalists expressed that press freedom has deteriorated in Hong Kong under the National Security Law. About 76 percent are “apprehensive” about the possible establishment of fake news law. And 77 percent of journalists fear being monitored by digital or physical surveillance. At least 46 percent of surveyed journalists said they considered leaving Hong Kong, while 34 percent were considering fleeing. Another 12 percent have already planned for their permanent departure from Hong Kong.

Under the vague and broad National Security Law, the FCC members were unclear on what the media is and is not allowed to report, worrying that the freedom of the press might suffer from further erosion. The vast majority of interviewed reporters described the continuous deterioration of their working environment. Journalists in Hong Kong also expressed their need to self-censor their writing and delete images.

Laws Target Media

The report also stated that Articles 9 and 10 of the Hong Kong National Security Law target the media. Article 9 stipulates that the Hong Kong government shall strengthen public promotion, guidance, supervision, and management of schools, social organizations, media, and networks related to national security; Article 10 stipulates to carry out national security education through schools, social organizations, media, and networks.

Hong Kong Watch pointed out that the definition of Article 54 is conceivably targeting foreign media. Article 54 mentions strengthening the management and services of foreign and overseas non-governmental organizations and news agencies in Hong Kong.