HKJA Strikes Out on Two Hotel Venues

HKJA chair Selina Cheng holds Poon's calligraphy at Eaton HK

How hard is it for organisations in Hong Kong to hold a spring dinner for their members? 

Apparently it's near impossible, as the Hong Kong Journalists Association found out.

The Regal Hong Kong in Causeway Bay claimed it had "water leakage causing unstable power supply" and had to cancel the reservation two days before the event. 

In 2019 the hotel seemed supportive of protesters

So the HKJA postponed the dinner and made a reservation at the Eaton HK hotel in Jordan, and paid a deposit.

But then the group got some bad news today.

In an email to attendees, it said in part: 

"HKJA received notice from the new venue, Eaton HK, stating they were 'unable to host your proposed event.' No reason was given," the email said. "It is regrettable that, two times in a row in a short period of time, HKJA has had contracted bookings -- for which deposits were paid and documents signed -- cancelled by the venues."

This is particularly disappointing because the Eaton hotel is known to be more liberal, marketing itself as a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community, and during the 2019 protests put up a billboard on its building that read: "What does your revolution look like?"

So for Eaton HK to cancel the HKJA event shows how much pressure the hotel was under, and this is the new normal in Hong Kong.

In retaliation, people online posted bad reviews of the hotel on Google.

Ironically, one of the items that was to be auctioned off at the dinner is a work of calligraphy by lyricist Poon Yuen-leung.

It reads: "To brave the road ahead together, with wind gusting against us, we share our frustration and our pride. Sweep the dust on my face, empty the sorrows in our hearts, I beat on and stride forward with you."

HK Journalist Sacked for Advocating Press Freedom

Journalist Cheng suddenly became the story when she was fired

The voices of international press groups are increasing in volume in condemning The Wall Street Journal for sacking Selina Cheng after she was voted as the new chair of the Hong Kong Journalists Association.

Groups such as the Asian chapter of the Asian American Journalists Association, Reporters Without Borders, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, the Hong Kong Foreign Correspondents' Club, Canada-based Media Action Plan and Women Press Freedom voiced their support for Cheng, that journalists should be allowed to advocate for press freedom.

"Journalists must be able to join and lead press organisations that are committed to defending media freedom without facing intimidation or retaliation," said the AAJA in a statement shared on social media.

Cheng read out her statement on Wednesday

"As pressure grows against foreign and domestic media in #HongKong, the need for international support to independent journalists still working in the territory is more important than ever," said Reporters Without Borders on X, formerly Twitter.

Cheng told reporters she was sacked on Wednesday after a senior editor flew in from the UK to tell her in person that her job had been eliminated due to restructuring. But she believed the real reason was related to her supervisor's request three weeks ago for her to withdraw from the election for the chair of the HKJA, a trade union for journalists that advocates for press freedom.

She said in a statement that her supervisor asked her to quit the association's board, which she has served since 2021. After she refused, she was told "it will be incompatible" with her job.

"The editor said employees of the Journal should not be seen as advocating for press freedom in a place like Hong Kong, even though they can in Western countries, where it is already established," said Cheng, who was elected the new chair in June.

"I am disappointed if these editors abroad have come to think press freedom is a controversial issue, as those who wish to intimidate reporters might like us to believe," she said. "It is not."

WSJ is still supporting Evan Gershkovich

While Dow Jones, which publishes the Journal confirmed restructuring had taken place, it claimed to still advocate for press freedom in Hong Kong and around the world.

Cheng pointed out the company was still pushing for the release of one of her colleagues, Evan Gershkovich, who has been detained for over a year in Russia accused of spying for the CIA.

"This is why I am deeply shocked that senior editors at the paper would actively violate their employees' human rights, by preventing them from advocating for freedoms the Journal's reporters rely on to work, in a place where journalists and their rights are under threat," wrote Cheng.

Indeed -- why this double standard? And why is WSJ and Dow Jones aiding the government's agenda of shutting down voices of opposition and dissent? It just puts not only the WSJ but also Hong Kong journalists in general in an even weaker position. 

What a bizarre way to start her new position -- being fired days later by her day job, but Cheng has already shown her courage and determination to fight. If anything she makes her former employer look like a coward.

Two Steps Forward, One Step Back

People waiting to hear the scrapping of hotel quarantine

Lots of things happening in Hong Kong -- the latest is that Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu will finally announce the end of mandatory hotel quarantines, and that people self-monitor for three days at home. 

This after over two and a half years of severe quarantines that was at three weeks for the longest time, then down to one week until August 12 when it was changed to three days in hotel quarantine and four at home.

The announcement comes after mounting calls from the business sector who have seen finance types flee to Singapore, retail and hospitality suffering and in many cases shutter, while sports events have been cancelled or postponed because the government is too slow to give the green light.

Three weeks, then one week, then three days...

Interestingly Beijing has given its blessing for Hong Kong to live with Covid-19, perhaps seeing it as a test case? Or conveniently saying it's "one country, two systems"? 

Regardless it's a welcome sign for everyone in Hong Kong, which may prompt many to travel for the first time in years (if they can afford it), or even return?

Another sigh of relief for journalist Ronson Chan, chairperson of the Hong Kong Journalists Association who was granted bail after pleading not guilty to obstructing police officers and an alternative charge of obstructing other person lawfully engaged in public duty.

This development comes a week before he is to go to Oxford University for a six-month fellowship.

Chan was arrested on September 7 while on his way to report on a story. Two officers allegedly asked to see his Hong Kong ID many times and Chan allegedly refused, asking to see their ID, which is allowed by law. The officers claimed he was "uncooperative" and arrested him.

On Thursday Chan was granted bail and no travel restrictions were imposed; he had to pay HK$10,000 bail and report his future UK address and phone number to the police in Hong Kong.

Chan can go to Oxford University next week

Conveniently his trial is set for May 2023, a month after he is expected to return from the UK.

Outside the court Chan observed it was ironic that the Hong Kong government was holding an event for journalists at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong.

"Today, at this very moment, some journalists are holding a reception celebrating National Day, while the chairperson of the Hong Kong Journalists Association had to appear in court. I guess this reflects the contrast we've seen in the news industry in Hong Kong now," the veteran journalist said.

What is is referring to is Chief Executive Lee instructing journalists how to do their jobs post-NSL.

While saying journalists should report the news in an "objective, fair and impartial manner", they should also remember they are also Hong Kong residents and therefore are "not above the law".

"I hope that all members of the press will be able to distinguish right from wrong and stay away from these camouflaged media organisations and bad apples who undermine press freedom," he said, referring to groups Lee claimed did illegal things in the name of journalism.

Lee warns of "camouflaged media organisations"

Who is he referring to here? Or is the "bad apples" a hint?

Lee urged those in the media to "tell the Hong Kong stories well".

"[The industry should] unite and tell the world the latest developments and correct information of Hong Kong," he said.

But this is what Hong Kong media have been doing all along. They are one of the institutions to make the government accountable, particularly now that the legislature is completely stacked with pro-Beijing lawmakers now.

However, it seems Lee is only interested in having media continue to tow the government line...

Where's the Freedom to Report on July 1?

Who will report on the July 1 events after 10 media rejected?

Now that we've established that Chinese President Xi Jinping will come to Hong Kong for two days, but not staying overnight and in nearby Shenzhen instead, who will be covering the grand milestone of 25 years since the handover?

Hardly any media for hardly any good reason.

Media organisations had to be invited to attend the July 1 flag-raising ceremony and swearing-in ceremony for the next Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu.

Lee claimed press freedom is in back pocket

But then suddenly today at least 10 outlets that had been invited were now rejected because of "security reasons". They include Ming Pao, HK01, South China Morning Post, Now News, Reuters, Bloomberg and Agence France-Presse.

While these media organisations have the option of sending alternate reporters, they must fulfil requirements of testing negative for Covid-19 from a PCR test everyday between last Sunday and July 1 which is impossible now.

It is strange that Ta Kung Pao was also rejected, a very pro-Beijing paper, which is why the Hong Kong Journalists' Association chairman Ronson Chan finds it "perplexing" that all these outlets were rejected regardless of their editorial policy.

"The HKJA expresses utmost regret over rigid reporting arrangements made by the authorities for such a major event," the press group said.

"[C]iting a vague reason for rejection seriously undermines press freedom in Hong Kong. The HKJA urges the authorities to make remedial arrangements and protect the right to report," it added.

Chan finds reporter rejections as "perplexing"

The group is referring to incoming leader Lee's claim that press freedom was a given.'

In April he said that press freedom was already in the "pocket" of all Hongkongers so it did not need defending. That said he promised to pass a "fake news" law and a local version of the security law.

How can he say this when Reporters Without Borders has ranked Hong Kong 148 out of 180 places, when it was 80 last year, and in 2002 it was listed at no. 18?

Initially up to 20 journalists were invited to attend, averaging two per outlet. But then this was cut to one per organisation, and now none.

So it looks like only Chinese domestic media will be allowed to attend, to cover the event for Chinese audiences, not even for Hongkongers.

"China wants the world to see Hong Kong's 25th handover anniversary ceremony and project the narrative that stability has been returned to the city, meanwhile it has effectively banned most international media from covering this important event," said an international journalist who did not want to be named.

Hong Kong is pulling out the stops for its leader and yet its own people can't even report on the event... in other words, no negative reporting at all! An alternate reality will be promoted over and over forever and perhaps this is a signal of how things will be done from now on?!

HKJA's Chan Plans Overseas Study... Can He?

Chan plans to return to Hong Kong after his studies

The head of the Hong Kong Journalists Association will be taking part in the Reuters Institute's fellowship program at Oxford University in early October. Ronson Chan made the announcement on his Facebook on Thursday and has plans to return to the city afterwards and so he will be laying low, as the HKJA is under pressure from the national security bureau.

"I know many of my friends, citizens, and readers who care about me will hope that I know when to stay or leave, but to use a cliche, I [will] miss Hong Kong, and the program said that they hoped participants will return to their place of origin after the program ended," Chan wrote.

"Therefore, I will speak and act cautiously in the United Kingdom, and return to Hong Kong after half a year's study as planned."

Academic Hui Po-keung was arrested at airport

Since the 2019 protests and the enactment of the national security law, many civil society groups, as well as the HKJA have faced pressure from the authorities as well as criticism from pro-Beijing and state media.

But will Chan even be allowed to leave Hong Kong? He was also deputy assignment editor at the now defunct Stand News.

Earlier this month, Hui Po-keung, academic and trustee of the 612 Humanitarian Relief Fund, was arrested at Hong Kong International Airport as he was on his way to Germany to take up visiting scholar post. And in March, Paul Harris, former head of the Bar Association was quizzed by the national security police and he left the city hours after.

However, Chan says he's not worried about being arrested at the airport.

"I don't want them to say that I'm absconding, if they want to arrest me they will... It's such a rare opportunity for people like us who only got 14 marks in the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination, [I] have to seize the opportunity. Of course I will go," he told an English-language media outlet.

When asked if he was planning to come back after his studies, Chan replied that he "never intended to leave", and that he was "only going for further studies."

Tang is putting pressure on the HKJA

The HKJA has been under attack by pro-establishment figures including Secretary for Security and former police chief Chris Tang Ping-keung who expressed doubt of HKJA's professionalism and alleged political bias. Tang had hinted that perhaps the government should be the one issuing press identification to weed out those producing fake news.

Is Chan playing with fire or will he really be allowed to leave?

Perhaps with such a public announcement he is hoping the national security police will back off, but who knows... they could pre-empt his departure in other ways...

Chan should try to take this opportunity to study abroad, and he is extremely brave to go for it.

All eyes will be on him in the days leading up to his departure... if there are any decent media outlets left by October...