Former Stand News editor Patrick Lam expressed regret for missing an opportunity to educate a police officer about independent journalism after being convicted of sedition in Hong Kong. Lam and his ex-colleague Chung Pui-kuen, both former top editors of Stand News, are awaiting their sentencing following the guilty verdict last month, marking them as the first journalists convicted of sedition since the handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997. They could face up to two years in prison and a 5,000 Hong Kong dollar fine under an outdated sedition law utilized to suppress dissent.
Stand News, known for openly criticizing the government, faced closure amidst a broader crackdown on dissent that intensified after mass anti-government protests in 2019. Lam’s letter to the court highlighted the publication’s commitment to editorial independence until its demise in 2021. The outlet faced a police raid leading to Lam and Chung’s arrests, ultimately resulting in its shutdown on the same day. The court found Lam and Chung guilty of conspiracy to publish seditious publications, along with the company managing Stand News.
In his judgment, Judge Kwok Wai-kin stated that Stand News was utilized to undermine the Beijing and Hong Kong governments during the 2019 protests. He pointed to 11 articles published under Lam and Chung’s direction as carrying seditious intent. The convictions prompted criticism from foreign governments, while the Hong Kong government maintained that there were no curbs on media freedom as long as journalists report facts. The verdict appeared to set new boundaries for the city’s journalists amidst growing self-censorship post the 2020 security law implementations.
The Hong Kong Journalists Association expressed concerns over press freedom, noting that the damage to the city’s press was significant even before the verdict. Lam and Chung endured almost a year in custody post their arrests, with Lam missing the recent hearing due to health issues. Lam emphasized in his letter the essential role of journalists in reporting on matters of public interest, stressing that reporting is the way to defend press freedom. Chung remained composed in court post-conviction, with his lawyer highlighting his unemployment since the case’s inception.
Chung’s mitigation letter reflected on his wife’s dedication to journalism during a hazardous reporting assignment, underscoring the responsibility of journalists to document stories and thoughts. Despite the challenging circumstances, he highlighted the commitment of many Hong Kongers advocating for freedom in the community. The trial, spanning over 50 days, has already inflicted significant changes in Lam and Chung’s lives, with both facing personal and professional repercussions. Whether the court decides to sentence them, the case has already left an indelible impact on the two journalists.
