Former Stand News editors Chung Pui-kuen and Patrick Lam have been convicted by a Hong Kong court for conspiracy to publish seditious publications, marking the first such sedition case against journalists since the 1997 handover to China. Their conviction reflects ongoing concerns about deteriorating media freedoms under a stringent national security crackdown, which has seen numerous arrests and the closure of critical outlets in the region. The editors could face a maximum of two years in prison, with sentencing set for September 26. The trial has drawn international condemnation, including from the U.S. government, emphasizing the chilling effect on independent journalism in Hong Kong. Stand News was raided in December 2021, leading to its eventual shutdown, and was known for its pro-democracy stance during the 2019 protests. Critics argue that these actions signify a broader effort by the Hong Kong government to suppress dissent and control the media landscape.