Key Findings and Recommendations

Hong Kong Freedom of Expression Report 2022

  • At the IFJ Global Congress in May 2022, the IFJ and its affiliates globally and unanimously called for recognition of the urgent situation facing journalists and other human rights defenders in Hong Kong. The IFJ calls on governments around the world to support journalists seeking to leave Hong Kong via humanitarian visas or special visa programs for those needing to flee to secure their immediate safety.

  • The IFJ notes the continuing exodus of journalists and news outlets to countries where they can analyse Hong Kong affairs without fear of reprisal. It also expresses grave concern at the loss of independent on-the-ground reporting that will make it harder for the global community and Hong Kong’s own citizens to gain an accurate picture of political, economic, legal and social developments in the territory.

  • The international community must continue to condemn the media offensive conducted by the governments of China and Hong Kong that began under the cloak of the Covid-19 pandemic, supported by the introduction of the National Security Law and abuse of existing laws on crimes such as sedition to intimidate independent media into shutting down.

  • Political leaders and civil society should join the UN Human Rights Committee in urging the Hong Kong government to repeal the National Security Law and the sedition provisions of the Crimes Ordinance. More specifically, both the Chinese and Hong Kong governments have violated obligations under international law to protect the rights guaranteed to Hong Kongers under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which was ratified in the territory and enshrined in the Basic Law.

  • The IFJ urges the Hong Kong government to enact laws to empower people’s right to free flow of information, including the UN Human Rights Committee's General Comment No. 34, which deals with the right to freedom of expression under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and which is enshrined in the Basic Law, the mini constitution of Hong Kong.

HKJA Chair Ronson Chan and chief editor Chris Yeung hold HKJA’s annual report in Hong Kong on July 15, 2021. HKJA and its members have faced increasing difficulties operating since the introduction of the National Security Law in 2020, with many prominent members facing arrest and imprisonment. Credit: Anthony Wallace / AFP

  • The IFJ urges the Hong Kong Government to fully respect the Hong Kong people’s ethos of freedom and adhere to The Johannesburg Principles on National Security, Freedom of Expression and Access to Information if the enactment of Article 23 of the Basic Law is going to take place. If Hong Kong is to keep its international status, it is critical that it abides by international standards. 

  • The IFJ deplores the transformation of Radio Television Hong Kong from a public service broadcaster into a propaganda arm of the Hong Kong government, and the resulting destruction of RTHK’s ability to function as a watchdog on the authorities’ use of power. It urges the Hong Kong government to restore RTHK’s identity as a genuine public service broadcaster and to rebuild media diversity to benefit Hong Kong’s people.

  • Despite the ongoing influence of China over Chinese diaspora media, new Hong Kong and Chinese language media outlets are emerging in new spaces in Taiwan, UK, Canada, Australia and the US. These present an important alternate narrative of China’s story and are vitally in need of support.

  • The IFJ reminds the Hong Kong authorities that media freedom facilitates the free flow of information by a diverse range of media (not only pro-China outlets), and that this is essential to Hong Kong’s status as an international finance and business centre and a world city.

  • The IFJ calls on international media and media organisations to express solidarity with and support for their Hong Kong counterparts. They should continue to protest to the authorities of Hong Kong and the People’s Republic of China regarding the repression of freedom of the press, freedom of expression and the right to know.