Journalists in India Condemn Hong Kong Verdict Against Editors

Indian journalism bodies have condemned a Hong Kong court's conviction of former editors Patrick Lam and Chung Pui-kuen on sedition charges. They urged an end to using anti-state charges against the media, as the conviction is seen as a threat to press freedom guaranteed under Hong Kong's Basic Law.

Indian journalist organizations have condemned the recent guilty verdict by a Hong Kong court against former editors Patrick Lam and Chung Pui-kuen on charges of sedition. The conviction has drawn criticism for undermining press freedom in Hong Kong.

According to a joint statement by the Foreign Correspondents' Club of South Asia, Press Association, Press Club of India, Indian Women Press Corps, and Law and Society Alliance, the verdict is considered a severe blow to press freedom, which is protected under Hong Kong's Basic Law.

The statement urged Hong Kong authorities to halt the persecution of media professionals for their critical coverage. The conviction, which prompted the closure of Stand News due to asset freezes, marks the first such incident against any journalist or editor since Hong Kong's 1997 handover from Britain to China.

(With inputs from agencies.)