A press freedom organization strongly criticized the imprisonment of Ronson Chan, a senior journalist and former chairman of the Hong Kong Journalists Association, on charges of “obstructing a police officer.” Reporters Without Borders stated that Chan, a former deputy assignment editor at Stand News, lost his appeal against the conviction and was immediately sentenced to five days in prison.
Chan was arrested in September 2022 while covering a homeowners’ meeting in Hong Kong’s Mong Kok area. He questioned a plainclothes police officer who tried to obstruct his reporting, leading to the charges of acting “suspiciously.” Advocacy Manager Aleksandra Bielakowska expressed concerns, stating that Chan’s imprisonment sets a dangerous precedent that undermines press freedom in Hong Kong.
The organization highlighted Chan’s role in independent journalism and Stand News, a prominent Chinese-language news outlet that was forced to shut down after a police raid in 2021. The Hong Kong Journalists Association, dedicated to protecting press freedom, has faced attacks from the government and pro-Beijing supporters over the years, despite operating independently in the city.
The deteriorating state of press freedom in Hong Kong was emphasized, with at least 28 journalists prosecuted since 2020 and nine currently in detention. Hong Kong’s ranking in the World Press Freedom Index has significantly dropped, reflecting the challenges faced by journalists in the region. China, too, ranks low in press freedom, highlighting broader concerns in the region.
