Organised by the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA), the Free Speech, Free Hong Kong protest, attracted more than 6,000 people (the police claim they only counted 2,200 at the rally) on Sunday.
The HKJA organised the protest because of recent events that appear to threaten the city’s freedom of speech and press: the sudden replacement of Ming Pao’s Chinese newspaper chief editor and termination of government critic and Commercial Radio host, Li Wei-ling.
Apply Daily and AM730 newspapers also claim that many mainland-backed companies and banks have stopped placing adverts with them because of their choice of editorial coverage.
A recent annual report by Reporters Without Borders put Hong Kong’s press freedom at 61st place this year out of 180 countries – stark contrast to the city’s 18th position in 2002.
See related:
Freedom of expression and press freedom rally this Sunday
Sacked radio host Li Wei-Ling: “Leung hated me most in Hong Kong”
Commercial Radio fires government critic Li Wei-ling “for no reason”
Malaysian officially appointed as chief editor of Ming Pao’s Chinese newspaper
200 protest outside Ming Pao offices
Ming Pao columnists protest by not writing
Academics raise concern over replacement of Ming Pao editor
Ming Pao no longer most trusted, editor replaced
Source: SCMP
Photo: HKJA Facebook
