Press Freedom in Hong Kong Plunges Further, Journalist Club Survey Reveals

Published by Global Voices | Republished by Infinitrix News | April 28, 2025 SOURCE

Visual interpretation of journalistic challenges in Hong Kong. This image is a virtual rendering, not a real-world scene.

Press freedom in Hong Kong has continued to deteriorate, according to the latest survey by the Hong Kong Foreign Correspondents’ Club (FCC), with more than half of respondents saying they have been forced to censor themselves due to fear of legal or political consequences.

The FCC conducted its annual survey between February 27 and March 11, gathering 117 responses from journalists working across a range of platforms. The findings show a stark decline in confidence in press freedom in the territory.

Specifically, 76 percent of journalists said working conditions have declined since last year, while 57 percent cited self-censorship as a growing necessity. A significant portion mentioned that they were considering leaving Hong Kong or the journalism profession altogether.

One anonymous journalist noted: "The chilling effect is real. Even without overt government action, the sense of fear drives people to silence themselves."

The main factors contributing to the decline, according to respondents, are Hong Kong’s National Security Law (NSL), implemented in 2020, and the ambiguous red lines it established regarding press reporting. Many news organizations have reduced coverage of politically sensitive topics or shifted operations overseas.

International watchdogs have echoed these concerns. Reporters Without Borders placed Hong Kong 140th out of 180 countries in its 2024 World Press Freedom Index, a sharp drop from previous years.

Despite the challenges, some independent outlets and freelance reporters continue to operate, often taking extraordinary measures to ensure their safety and the survival of press freedom ideals within Hong Kong.

The FCC emphasized that press freedom is essential not only for journalists but also for maintaining Hong Kong’s status as a global financial and cultural hub. "Without a free flow of information, Hong Kong risks losing its edge," the FCC said in a statement accompanying the survey results.

© This story was originally published by Global Voices under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license (CC BY 3.0). No edits were made. Republished by Infinitrix News.