The Epoch Times has announced that it will stop printing and distributing its Hong Kong edition after 23 years, with the final print scheduled for September 17, 2024. This decision is attributed to difficulties in securing a lease for its printing facility, reflecting the increasing challenges faced by media outlets in the region since the enactment of the national security law [04e76432].
Founded in 2001 and linked to the Falun Gong spiritual group, the Epoch Times has been known for its anti-China stance and has faced significant pressure, including attacks on its facilities and staff. The newspaper transitioned from being free to charging HK$10 for its print edition in 2019, a move that coincided with the tightening grip on press freedoms in Hong Kong [04e76432].
In a troubling context, dozens of Hong Kong journalists and their families have reported harassment since June 2024, marking the largest-scale harassment known in the region. Selina Cheng, chair of the Hong Kong Journalists Association, highlighted that anonymous complaints were sent to at least 15 journalists' families and employers, with threats suggesting that continued association with journalists could endanger national security [2fc3d444].
This development comes on the heels of the Wall Street Journal's call for sanctions against Hong Kong leaders following the convictions of journalists Chung Pui-kuen and Patrick Lam for sedition. The WSJ's editorial highlighted the ongoing crisis of press freedom in the region, which has seen a marked decline due to government crackdowns on dissent and media [6bc9e979].
In a related context, the Hong Kong government has defended its actions against media outlets, with Secretary for Security Chris Tang criticizing the WSJ's stance as 'fact-twisting.' He emphasized that no responsible government would tolerate disinformation, further illustrating the contentious environment for journalism in Hong Kong [6bc9e979].
The situation for journalists in Hong Kong remains precarious, as evidenced by the recent firing of Selina Cheng from the WSJ after her election as chair of the Hong Kong Journalists Association. This incident underscores the challenges faced by media professionals in a climate of increasing censorship and repression [dbfbdf58].
Additionally, the press freedom situation has deteriorated significantly, with Hong Kong ranking 135 out of 180 in the World Press Freedom Index, a steep decline from its position of 80 in 2021. The closure of critical news outlets such as Apple Daily and Stand News further exemplifies the challenges faced by journalists in the region [2fc3d444].