Stand News US urges Hong Kong authorities to release detained Stand News employees
Washington, DC: The United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken has asked Hong Kong authorities to release the staff members of the pro-democracy media outlet Stand News who were arrested after a police raid.
"The Hong Kong government’s December 29 raid and arrest of seven senior staff at Stand News have forced yet another of the few remaining bastions of free and independent media in Hong Kong to cease operations. Journalism is not sedition," Antony Blinken said in a statement.
"We call on PRC and Hong Kong authorities to cease targeting Hong Kong’s free and independent media and to immediately release those journalists and media executives who have been unjustly detained and charged," Blinken added.
Blinken said: "These freedoms enabled Hong Kong to flourish as a global center for finance, trade, education, and culture. By silencing independent media, PRC and local authorities undermine Hong Kong’s credibility and viability. A confident government that is unafraid of the truth embraces a free press."
Stand News Acting Chief Editor Patrick Lam is escorted by police following his arrest on Wednesday (Dec 29). Image: Screengrab from Youtube video by Crannofonix.
Police on Wednesday arrested seven current and former Stand News editors, board members and a journalist on charges of conspiracy to publish a seditious publication.
Among those who were arrested were chief editor Patrick Lam, as well as former board members, including popular singer and activist Denise Ho and former lawmaker Margaret Ng, reports Al Jazeera.
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