Hong Kong journalists face ‘systematic’ harassment: press group

HONG KONG: Dozens of Hong Kong journalists have faced “systematic and organised” harassment and intimidation in recent weeks that included leaked personal information and death threats, the city´s press group said on Friday.

The Chinese finance hub was once known for its freewheeling press but has plummeted in media freedom rankings since Beijing cracked down on dissent following huge pro-democracy protests in 2019.

The Hong Kong Journalists Association said members of its executive committee, 13 international and local media outlets and two education institutions have been targeted by anonymous harassers since June.

“This type of intimidation and harassment, which includes sharing false and defamatory content and death threats, damages press freedom in Hong Kong and we should not tolerate it,” association chair Selina Cheng said at a press conference.

The announcement comes around a fortnight after pro-democracy outlet Stand News and its two top editors were found guilty of sedition, the first conviction of its kind since Hong Kong came under Chinese rule in 1997.

At least 15 journalists -- including Cheng -- were targeted in anonymous complaint emails or letters addressed to their family members, their relatives´ employers, landlords, schools, charities and private businesses, the HKJA said. Some of the letter-writers called themselves “patriots”, the association added.