Former Editors Sentenced in Hong Kong Sedition Case

Chung Pui-kuen and Patrick Lam, former editors of the now-defunct Stand News, were sentenced in a landmark sedition case that highlights the erosion of press freedoms in Hong Kong. Chung received 21 months in prison, while Lam was sentenced to time served due to health issues. Their convictions mark the first sedition charges against journalists in Hong Kong since the 1997 handover, following a national security crackdown that has increasingly targeted dissent. The prosecution claimed Stand News published materials inciting hatred against the government, with 11 out of 17 articles deemed seditious by the court. International bodies, including the UN, have condemned the verdict, urging respect for press freedoms in Hong Kong. Both editors emphasized their commitment to journalistic integrity, voicing regret over missed opportunities to defend the principles of independent journalism during their arrests.