The executive editor of The New York Times has criticised the “corrosive effect” of Hong Kong’s national security laws on press freedom during a journalism awards ceremony in the city, but said that local news media continued to produce impactful coverage despite facing such challenges.
Speaking at the ceremony for the Society of Publishers in Asia awards on Thursday evening, Joseph Kahn said journalists in Hong Kong had to navigate “potential red lines” since Beijing imposed a security law on the city in 2020 and further security legislation was enacted in March. Kahn cited a recently-released study that found journalists’ engaged in self-censorship to avoid legal risks.
Hong Kong has plummeted in global press freedom rankings since the security law came into effect following large-scale pro-democracy protests and unrest, but the government has maintained that legitimate journalism was not affected by the law.
Kahn also referred to the ongoing trial of media tycoon Jimmy Lai, who is accused of conspiring to collude with foreign forces under Beijing’s security law alongside the now-shuttered Apple Daily, the newspaper Lai founded that was critical of mainland Chinese and local authorities.
“Jimmy was for years regarded both for his proud independence and his innovative spirit. Today he is more of a symbol of this place’s intolerance,” Kahn said.
‘Real impact’
Kahn, who was a correspondent based in Hong Kong in 1989 after the deadly Tiananmen crackdown, said the city had once been a bridge between the East and the West in a time when mainland China “remained largely inaccessible to Western journalists.”
But he said that had changed under the security law, adding that The New York Times moved part of its regional office in Hong Kong to Seoul in 2020, in response to the law.
“Global news operation requires firm, legal protections for the journalists and our staff,” he said.
The New York Times announced the move weeks after the enactment of the law in June 2020, citing the legislation and trouble securing work permits for some of its employees.
Kahn said the dwindling presence of international news media in Hong Kong was a loss for the city, but added that local and regional media had been producing “outstanding journalism that [was] having real impact.”
He referred to several local news outlets in the city, including HKFP, as well as in places including mainland China and Myanmar.
“That kind of journalism takes more courage today, but it makes a difference,” he added.
Hong Kong has plummeted in international press freedom indices since the onset of the security law. Watchdogs cite the arrest of journalists, raids on newsrooms and the closure of around 10 media outlets including Apple Daily, Stand News and Citizen News. Over 1,000 journalists have lost their jobs, whilst many have emigrated. Meanwhile, the city’s government-funded broadcaster RTHK has adopted new editorial guidelines, purged its archives and axed news and satirical shows.
See also: Explainer: Hong Kong’s press freedom under the national security law
In 2022, Chief Executive John Lee said press freedom was “in the pocket” of Hongkongers but “nobody is above the law.” Although he has told the press to “tell a good Hong Kong story,” government departments have been reluctant to respond to story pitches.
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