IFJ Condemns Attacks Targeting Hong Kong’s Next Media Group

IFJ Condemns Attacks Targeting Hong Kong’s Next Media Group

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) condemns a series of four attacks against Hong Kong’s Next Media Group.

The incidents began on June 19 when a stolen car rammed into the front gate of the home of Jimmy Lai, the chairman of Next Media, a listed company. A machete and a hatchet were left at the scene in Ho Man Tin, Kowloon.

A week later, on June 26, two men set fire to newspapers at Hung Hom after threatening delivery workers. On June 29 a long knife was left outside the building in Tai Po, New Territories. On the same evening, three masked men threatened two delivery workers and set fire to newspapers in Central.

Speaking to Commercial Radio of Hong Kong on June 28, Lai believed the attacks were due to the newspapers group’s support for the July 1 rally that demanded democracy in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong police arrested a man on July 3 who they suspect was involved in one of the arson attacks but declined to give further details.

The IFJ Asia Pacific Office said: “The frequency and violence of these attacks targeting a media outlet with a strong profile supporting democracy demonstrates that press freedom and freedom of expression in Hong Kong is under threat.

“Violence is one way to silence democratic voices in a society. The Hong Kong Government must act swiftly and responsibly to ensure justice. It must condemn these acts of violence to protect press freedom which is one of the fundamental rights of Hong Kong people enshrined in the Hong Kong Basic Law.”

The IFJ calls on The Newspaper Society of Hong Kong to act as an advocate to demand that both the police of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Government take urgent steps to ensure the protection of the media industry.

Further, the IFJ urges Commissioner of Police Andy Tsang to properly investigate all attacks targeting media outlets in Hong Kong and bring those involved to justice.

The IFJ also urges Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun Ying to publicly condemn these assaults on press freedom to send a signal that his government will not tolerate acts of violence against the media.

ENDS

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