Wednesday, September 18, 2024 

Dozens of Hong Kong journalists were threatened and intimidated both online and in person during the last three months in what Hong Kong Journalist Association called on Friday the largest ever known harassment campaign against the local news industry.

Hong Kong Journalist Association, or HKJA, said in a press conference colleagues from at least 13 news agencies and their families were targeted, including by self-claimed pro-China “patriots”.

Selina Cheng, chairperson of the press union, confirmed “trolls” and unsubstantiated accusations on social media targeting at least 36 journalists from a variety of media outlets, including executives of the union. “Intimidating” images and posts were published on Facebook, some with death threats or violent photos of knives and blood.

Three dozens of news people were singled out on social media for writing “seditious” articles, a charge that had been used to jail Hong Kong news editors.

Wikipedia articles related to Hong Kong journalists were also edited. Cheng said Meta, the parent company of Facebook, and Wikimedia Foundation had begun investigation after the HKJA provided evidence of at least four cases. The former employee at Washington Post added that the Wikimedia Foundation had traced down a user, who posted reporters’ personal information using multiple accounts, and banned their presence on the platform. HKJA was “able to ascertain this user’s identity” and reported to the police.

HKJA said employers and companies where the journalists and relatives worked had received letters from pro-China “patriots”, accusing them of endangering Chinese national security. Even their neighbours and landlord were sent anonymous letters containing defamatory claims and threats.

Tom Grundy, director of Hong Kong Free Press, said in a statement his landlord and local property agencies were threatened with “unimaginable consequences” and “collateral damage” unless he was evicted. Inmedia confirmed one of its employees had received harassment messages, while another media platform HK Feature said it was “shocked” by the enormous harassment faced by journalists.

The association expressed concern over possible leaks from the government over the personal information of the reporters. They also did not rule out taking legal action against trollers “in order to protect the freedom to work and constitutional rights of the journalism industry”.

In the aftermath of the national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020, Hong Kong civic society is facing increasing challenges, with opposition activists jailed and non-government groups disbanding. Authorities in Hong Kong said the legislation is necessary to end violent chaos and restore peace in the city.

However, journalists had to overcome mounting difficulties as well. Stand News and Apple Daily, two major liberal media, were both charged with “sedition” over their opposition to China’s tightening control. Both were forced to shut down following raids by national security police, as the government insisted on fighting against acts “endangering national security”.

In response to the conviction of Stand News editor in August, Reporters without Border said it sets a dangerous precedent and dealt another blow against Hong Kong’s shattered press freedom.

They added, “reporting on facts that are not in line with the authorities’ official narrative could be sentenced for sedition”.