A Hong Kong court has convicted Dow Jones, the publisher of the Wall Street Journal, on one count of deterring reporter Selina Cheng from taking up a role with the Hong Kong Journalist Association, while clearing it of a second charge.
Key facts
- Dow Jones, publisher of the Wall Street Journal, was convicted of one count of deterring Selina Cheng from a union role.
- The company was cleared of a second charge.
- Cheng was dismissed weeks after being appointed chair of the Hong Kong Journalist Association (HKJA) in 2024.
- She was told at the time that her termination was due to restructuring.
- The case raised concerns about press freedom in Hong Kong.
A Hong Kong court has convicted Dow Jones, the publisher of the Wall Street Journal, of deterring a reporter from taking up a trade union role, in a case that has drawn attention to press freedom in the city, according to the Guardian.
The company was found guilty on one count of deterring Selina Cheng from her role at the Hong Kong Journalist Association (HKJA), but was cleared of a second charge.
Cheng was dismissed by the newspaper just weeks after she was appointed chair of the HKJA in 2024, the Guardian reported. At the time, she was told her termination was officially due to restructuring.
The Guardian reported that the case has raised concerns about press freedom in Hong Kong.
Why it matters
The conviction touches on the rights of journalists to participate in trade unions and press associations, issues closely watched in Hong Kong amid ongoing concerns about media freedom. It also highlights how the treatment of individual reporters can become a flashpoint for broader debates about press independence in the city.
Frequently asked questions
What was Dow Jones convicted of?
According to the Guardian, Dow Jones was convicted of one count of deterring Selina Cheng from taking up a role at the Hong Kong Journalist Association, while being cleared of a second charge.
Why was Selina Cheng dismissed?
Cheng was told her termination was officially due to restructuring, and she was dismissed just weeks after being appointed chair of the Hong Kong Journalist Association in 2024, the Guardian reported.
Why is the case significant?
The Guardian reported that the case raised concerns about press freedom in Hong Kong.