Hong Kong: Stand News journalists sentenced for carrying out their professional duties, says Amnesty International

In a shocking turn of events, three journalists from Hong Kong’s independent news outlet Stand News have been sentenced to prison for simply doing their job. According to Amnesty International, the journalists were jailed as part of a broader crackdown on press freedom in the region.

The three journalists, who were not named for their safety, were convicted on charges of “unlawful assembly” and “inciting others to participate in an unlawful assembly” during their coverage of the pro-democracy protests in 2019. Their sentencing has sparked outrage among media rights advocates who see it as a blatant attack on freedom of the press.

Amnesty International has condemned the verdict, calling it a “grave injustice” and urging the Hong Kong authorities to release the journalists immediately. The organization also called for an end to the targeting of journalists and media outlets in Hong Kong, warning that such actions could have a chilling effect on freedom of expression in the region.

The sentencing of the Stand News journalists is just the latest in a series of crackdowns on press freedom in Hong Kong, following the imposition of a controversial national security law by Beijing in 2020. Since then, several media outlets have been forced to shut down or self-censor their reporting to avoid facing similar repercussions.

As the world watches in horror, it is clear that the situation in Hong Kong is deteriorating rapidly. The imprisonment of these journalists is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those who seek to hold power to account and speak truth to power in an increasingly repressive environment. It is crucial that the international community stands in solidarity with the journalists and media outlets in Hong Kong, and continues to pressure the authorities to respect freedom of the press.