The Intelligence from The Economist

Press to exit: Hong Kong’s media arrests

Jun 18, 2021
Su Lin Wong, the China correspondent for The Economist, sheds light on the alarming decline of press freedom in Hong Kong, following a dramatic police raid on the pro-democracy newspaper, Apple Daily. She discusses the chilling effects of the national security law on journalists. Avantika Chulkati shares her experiences reporting from the world's largest slums, underscoring the stark contrasts in urban poverty exacerbated by the pandemic. Together, they reveal the struggles and resilience of marginalized communities facing oppressive political and economic conditions.
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ANECDOTE

Apple Daily Raid

  • Hong Kong police raided Apple Daily, a pro-democracy newspaper, arresting staff and freezing assets.
  • This action followed months of pressure and is seen as a chilling message to other media outlets.
INSIGHT

Reason for Arrests

  • The arrests are linked to articles allegedly encouraging foreign sanctions, violating the national security law.
  • Authorities warned against sharing Apple Daily content, aiming to isolate and intimidate other news organizations.
ANECDOTE

Public Support for Apple Daily

  • Despite the pressure, Apple Daily increased its press run to half a million copies following the raid.
  • Supporters bought copies in solidarity, demonstrating a proxy form of protest amidst growing intimidation.
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