Hong Kong

Hong Kong's public broadcaster discontinues BBC World Service live relay following Chinese regulator's ban of BBC World News broadcasts.

Le Groupe de travail mondial pour les médias publics est vivement préoccupé par la décision du gouvernement de la République populaire de Chine d’interdire la diffusion de BBC World News dans le pays.

The situation facing independent and public media in Hong Kong went from bad to worse in 2020 with the imposition of a new National Security Law.

In the past year, RTHK has been subject to official warnings, tightening restrictions, and “political persecution”. The arrest of a producer earlier this week is just the latest in a string of mounting pressures.

Media pluralism is necessary for democracy to function effectively. But clampdowns and suspensions, repressive laws and the expulsion of foreign media have placed pluralism under threat globally.

New developments have painted an even grimmer picture for the future of media freedom and editorial independence in Hong Kong.

Independent public media and public interest journalism underpin informed democracy. Yet many outlets are facing greater threats than ever before.

The Chinese government’s new National Security Law for Hong Kong has serious implications for independent journalism.

From political interference to funding cuts, many independent public media organisations are facing both new and ongoing threats. Here we reflect on some of these challenges, many of which have been amplified by the COVID-19 crisis.

The editorial independence of Hong Kong’s public broadcaster RTHK comes under increasing pressure as a new security law poses a direct threat to journalists and press freedom