By 
13-08-2024
Marina Sáenz
Human Rights Researcher
Global Human Rights Defence
Selina Cheng, the chairwoman of the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA), has vowed to continue advocating for press freedom and the rights of journalists after her unexpected dismissal from The Wall Street Journal (WSJ). Allegedly fired due to her leadership role at the embattled press union, Cheng’s case has sparked international attention, raising concerns about the growing challenges faced by journalists in Hong Kong. In a powerful statement to HKJA members, Cheng affirmed her commitment to defending her own rights, emphasising that the fight for press freedom is more crucial than ever.
The situation surrounding Selina Cheng’s dismissal from the WSJ has attracted significant attention because it starkly illustrates the broader crisis facing press freedom in Hong Kong. Cheng was allegedly fired because of her decision to accept the leadership role at the HKJA, a move that has been seen as an attempt to suppress her efforts to defend journalists’ rights. This action by a major international news outlet, which itself has a reputation for advocating press freedom, has alarmed many who view it as indicative of the increasing pressures on independent journalism in Hong Kong. Once a bastion of journalistic independence in Asia, Hong Kong has seen a sharp decline in press freedom since the imposition of the Beijing-backed national security law in 2020. This law has led to the arrest of prominent journalists, the closure of independent media outlets like Apple Daily and Stand News, and a climate of fear that has driven over 1,000 journalists out of the profession or into exile. The government’s tightening grip on the media has been further evidenced by the restructuring of the city’s public broadcaster, RTHK, which has led to the removal of critical content and the imposition of new, restrictive editorial guidelines. In this increasingly hostile environment, the role of the HKJA has become more crucial yet perilous, with its leaders, like Cheng, facing personal and professional repercussions for their efforts to safeguard the rights of journalists. The dismissal of Cheng underscores the precarious state of press freedom in Hong Kong and raises serious questions about the future of independent journalism in the region.
Selina Cheng’s dismissal from the WSJ highlights not only the personal and professional repercussions faced by journalists in Hong Kong but also raises critical questions about the adherence to human rights standards in the region. Examining this issue through the lens of international and local human rights laws, it becomes clear that Cheng’s case touches on fundamental rights guaranteed by both global and domestic legal frameworks. Central to this analysis is the right to freedom of expression, protected under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Hong Kong is a party. Article 19 of the ICCPR guarantees the right to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas. Cheng’s firing, allegedly linked to her leadership role at the Hong Kong Journalists Association, raises concerns about whether her dismissal infringes upon these fundamental rights, especially given the backdrop of Hong Kong’s deteriorating press freedom landscape. Additionally, Hong Kong’s own Basic Law, which serves as its constitutional framework, enshrines freedoms of speech and the press under Article 27. This local protection is meant to uphold international human rights standards within the territory. Cheng’s case highlights a troubling trend where these protections appear to be increasingly compromised, as evidenced by the broader crackdown on media freedoms since the national security law’s enactment in 2020. The national security law has been criticised for curbing dissent and suppressing independent journalism, thereby contravening both international obligations and local legal guarantees.
Cheng’s situation exemplifies how pressure on media personnel and institutions can undermine not only individual rights but also the overall health of Hong Kong’s media environment, raising serious concerns about the respect for human rights and the rule of law in the region.
Sources and further reading:
Kelley Ho. (August 12 2024). Hong Kong press union chief vows to strive for journalists’ rights after WSJ dismissal. Hong Kong Free Press Accessed August 13th, 2024 <https://hongkongfp.com/2024/08/12/hong-kong-press-union-chief-vows-to-strive-for-journalists-rights-after-wsj-dismissal/>.
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