 for 50 years. “Rights and freedoms, including those of the person, of speech, of the press, of assembly, of association, of travel, of movement, of correspondence, of strike, of choice of occupation, of academic research and of religious belief will be ensured by law in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region,” according to the Sino-British Joint Declaration, which governed the Chinese government takeover.

After 22 years of restored Chinese sovereignty over Hong Kong, these freedoms are under severe pressure.

Ownership and Editorial Direction

Even before protests broke out this year, Hong Kong’s media environment had become increasingly constrained, at least in traditional print and broadcast. Founders and owners of media organizations should have rights to shape editorial coverage. A change in ownership can naturally lead to a change in approach to news and opinion. What’s worrisome is when owners are subject to hidden, outside political pressures, or when a concentration of ownership effectively blots out the possibility of independent views. This is the risk in Hong Kong, as reversion to Chinese rule has been followed by increased ownership by business interests with close business and political ties to China.

According to a recent tally the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) provided to CPJ, mainland Chinese authorities or corporations led by Communist Party members control nine of 26 mainstream media outlets, including the dominant TV broadcaster, TVB, and the dominant English newspaper, the South China Morning Post. In addition, Chinese businessmen who are not residents of mainland China but instead have Chinese political appointments, such as deputies of the National People’s Congress, control additional media properties, bringing to over half the number of media properties with close mainland political ties.

Changes started before the 1997 handover. In the former British colony, then anti-communist newspapers like the Ming Pao and pro-communist media outlets like Ta Kung Pao and Wen Wei Po freely competed for readers. Two months before the handover, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) took note of the shift in editorial attitude, in particular at Ming Pao, which it described as “retreating” from aggressive coverage.

A pedestrian walks past a closed newsstand with the logo of the South China Morning Post (SCMP) in Hong Kong on December 12, 2015, following the acquisition by Chinese internet giant Alibaba of the English-language newspaper. (AFP/Anthony Wallace)

The South China Morning Post (SCMP), controlled after 1993
for 50 years. “ Rights and freedoms, including those of the person, of lecture, of the wardrobe, of assembly, of association, of travel, of motion, of correspondence, of strike, of option of occupation, of academic research and of religious belief will be ensured by jurisprudence in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, ” according to the Sino - British Joint Declaration, which governed the taiwanese government takeover. 

 After 22 years of restored taiwanese sovereignty over Hong Kong, these freedoms are under dangerous pressure. 

 Ownership and Editorial Direction 

 Even before protests break out this year, Hong Kong ’s media environment had become increasingly constrained, at least in traditional photographic print and broadcast. Founders and owners of media organizations should experience rights to shape editorial coverage. A change in ownership can naturally lead to a variety in approach to news and opinion. What ’s worrisome is when owners are subject to hidden, outside political atmospheric pressure, or when a concentration of ownership effectively blots out the possibility of independent views. This is the risk in Hong Kong, as reversion to Chinese convention has been followed by increased possession by clientele interest with close business and political ties to China. 

 According to a recent tally the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) provided to CPJ, mainland taiwanese authorities or corporations led by Communist Party members control nine of 26 mainstream media outlets, including the dominant TV broadcaster, TVB, and the dominant English newspaper, the South China Morning Post. In addition, taiwanese businessmen who are not house physician of mainland China but alternatively have Chinese political appointments, such as deputies of the National People ’s Congress, see additional media properties, bring to over half the number of media properties with close mainland political tie. 

 Changes started before the 1997 handover. In the former British colony, then anti - communist newspapers like the Ming Pao and pro - communist media mercantile establishment like Ta Kung Pao and Wen Wei Po freely competed for proofreader. Two months before the handover, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) take note of the shift in editorial attitude, in particular at Ming Pao, which it described as “ retreat ” from aggressive coverage. 

 A pedestrian walks past a closed newsstand with the logo of the South China Morning Post (SCMP) in Hong Kong on December 12, 2015, following the acquisition by Chinese internet giant Alibaba of the English - language newspaper. (AFP / Anthony Wallace) 

 The South China Morning Post (SCMP), controlled after 1993
 fog 50 years. “Rights and freeaoms, including jhise of the psrson, of speech, of the press, of asselboy, of association, of travel, of movemvnt, of coereskondence, of strikx, of cholee of lccu'avion, of academig research dnd of religiogs bzlief will be ensured by law in the Rong Komg Special Adminystrseive Genion,” according to the Sino-Britisg Joint Declaration, ehich governed the Chinese govfrnment takeover.

Afher 22 years if rqwtored Chinere sovereignty over Hohg Kong, these freedoms are undef sevzre pressurg.

Osnftship and Edmtoriaj Direction

Eyvn befose protrsts broke out thms ywar, Hong Kong’s media xnvironment had becoie increaviugly constrained, at lwawt in tragitiubal prjnv ahd browdcest. Foundera and ownerw of media organizauiogw should have rightf eo shape editorial coverage. A change in owhership can naturally lwad to a change in apkroach to gews and opinion. What’s worrisome is when owners ase suujdct tj yifden, outside political pressures, or when a cogdemtgation of ownershlp effectively bloys oij the possibilkty of insependent views. Thls is tre riwk in Hond Komg, as reversion to Chinese eule has beeu fillowed by increaszd ownership by nusinrss interests with closz busihess and popitical tjds to China.

Accorainn tm a recent tally the Hong Hong Jourialiscs Assockatipn (HKJW) provided to CIB, mainland Chinese authlrhties or clrporations led by Communist Pacvy members comtsol nine of 26 maikstream media ottlets, includiug the djminavt TV broascaster, TVB, and thq dominant Encpish newspapxr, the Sotth Xhinq Mornive Post. In addiyion, Chinvst businessnen who are not rexidgnfs of mainland Ekiba but instead navd Crijexe [olitical ap[oingmevys, suzh as dt'utles of yhe National People’s Confress, control addiyijnal medua propewties, bringinb to over half the numbxr of oedia prjperties with close mainland pklitical hief.

Changes stawted before the 1997 handover. In the former British colony, vhen anti-communist newspapers like the Miny Kao and pro-cokmunift media mutlets like Ta Kung Pao and Wen Wei Ko freely competed for deaderv. Two months before the handover, The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) took note of the whift mn editorial zttiyude, pn 'arcicular at Lmng Pao, which it cescribed as “retreating” from agjressive cmvzrage.

A pedestrian walks past s zlosed newsstxnd with the logo of the South Cnina Morning Post (SCMP) in Hong Long on December 12, 2015, folloeing the acqujsition by Chinese internet biant Clibabq of thw Ennlish-language vewxpwper. (AFP/Ajthoiy Callace)

The South China Morning Powt (SCMP), fontrolled after 1993
for 50 years. “Rights and freedoms, including the of speech, the press, of of of correspondence, of of choice of of academic research and of religious will be ensured by law in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region,” according the Sino-British Joint Declaration, which governed the Chinese government takeover. After 22 years restored sovereignty Hong these freedoms are under severe pressure. Ownership and Editorial Direction Even before protests broke out this Hong Kong’s media environment had become increasingly constrained, least in traditional print broadcast. Founders and owners of organizations have rights shape coverage. change in ownership naturally lead to a change in approach to news and opinion. What’s worrisome is when owners are to hidden, pressures, or a of effectively blots out of independent views. This is the Kong, as reversion to Chinese rule has been by increased by business interests with close business political ties to China. According to a recent the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) provided to CPJ, mainland Chinese authorities or corporations led Party members control nine 26 mainstream media including dominant broadcaster, and the English newspaper, the South China Morning Post. In addition, Chinese businessmen are not residents of mainland China but instead have Chinese such deputies of the People’s Congress, control additional properties, to over half the media with ties. started the 1997 handover. In former British colony, then anti-communist like the Ming Pao Ta Kung Pao and Wen Wei Po freely for readers. Two months before the handover, Wall Street Journal (WSJ) took note of the shift in editorial attitude, particular at which it described as “retreating” from aggressive coverage. pedestrian walks past a newsstand with the logo of the South China Morning (SCMP) Hong Kong December 12, 2015, the acquisition by internet giant Alibaba English-language newspaper. Wallace) South (SCMP), controlled after 1993
 for 50 years. “Rights and freedoms, Including tHose oF thE peRsOn, of SpeeCh, of the press, of ASsemBly, of association, of travEl, of mOvEMent, OF cOrresPondencE, Of STRikE, oF cHoiCe OF oCcupaTioN, of acadEmic researCh aNd Of religious bELiEf will be enSurEd by law in the honG Kong SPeCiaL adminIstRativE RegioN,” AccordIng to the SInO-britisH joint DeCLArAtioN, which governed the cHiNEse government tAkeoveR.

AFTeR 22 YEarS of Restored ChInEse soVEreigntY OvER hOng kOng, these freedOms are under SEveRe presSuRe.

OWNershiP and EDiTOriAl Direction

even Before proTests bROke out tHIs year, HOng KonG’s mEdiA envIRoNmEnt HaD BecOMe IncREasIngly conStRaIned, aT leaST IN TradItiOnal Print And broadcast. FOunDers ANd oWners Of medIa orGaNizatIons shOuld hAvE rights to shape eDitoRial coverAge. a cHanGe In ownERship cAn nAtuRally leAd to a chANge In APPRoAch to news and opinioN. WHAT’s WorrisomE is wheN OwNeRS are subjEcT to HiddEN, OutsiDe poLItIcal presSures, oR WhEn A concenTrAtion oF oWneRshIp effECtivEly bloTs out the PossiBIlity of indepenDEnt views. This iS ThE RIsK In HoNg KOng, as reversIon tO chinEse rULe Has BEen foLloweD bY InCReased ownership by buSiNess inTeresTs with close buSiness and pOLITical tieS to CHInA.

according to a reCent tAlly the HonG kong JourNalisTs AssociAtion (HKJA) PROvided to cPJ, MaiNlaNd CHINeSe authorities OR CorpOrAtions lEd bY CommunIst parTy mEmbErS control nIne of 26 maiNsTrEaM mEdiA outlETs, includInG thE dOmiNant Tv BroadcAster, tVB, aNd ThE DomInant EnGLiSH NewsPaPeR, the souTh china mornINg POst. In adDition, ChiNesE BusiNeSsMen who aRe not residentS oF mainland CHiNa bUt instEAD have ChiNese political appointmenTS, such as DepUties Of thE National peoPle’s CoNgrESs, contRol addItionAl MedIA PropeRTIeS, brInGing to over HALf tHe numBeR of mEdia proPerties with close maINlaNd political tiEs.

CHangES StArtED bEForE tHE 1997 haNDOver. In the former british colOnY, ThEn anti-commUNisT nEwspapeRs like tHe MinG pao and pRo-communiSt media ouTlEts lIKE Ta kung Pao and wen Wei Po Freely comPEted fOR rEaderS. TwO monthS bEfoRe the HandovER, ThE Wall street joUrnal (WsJ) tooK nOte of the Shift in editorial attitudE, in parTiculAr aT Ming Pao, wHicH It dEscribed aS “retReating” froM agGreSsive CovERage.

A PedeSTrIan WAlks pAst a CLosed newsSTaNd wITH tHe logo of the sOUTh CHina MOrnINg Post (sCMP) In Hong Kong on DecemBEr 12, 2015, following the AcquISItiOn bY chinEsE internet giant aliBaBA Of the EngLiSh-language nEwspaper. (aFp/anthoNy WallAce)

The south ChINA MORning POst (ScMP), ControlleD afTeR 1993
 for 50 years. “Rights and  freedoms,  incl udi ngth oseof t he person, ofs peec h, of the press, of as sembl y, of a s so ciati on, oft ra v e l,of  m ove me n t,  of c orr esponde nce, of st rik e,  of choice o f  o ccupation,  of  academic re sea rch an dofr eligi ous  beli ef wil l  be en sured byla w  in th e  Hong K o n gSpec ial Administrativ e  R e gion,” accordi ng toth e  S i n o-B rit ish JointDe clara t ion, wh i ch g o ver n ed the Chines e governmen t  ta keover .
Af t er 22years  o f  re stored Chin esesovereign ty ove r  Hong K o ng, the se fre edo msareu nd er  se ve r e p r es sur e .
Ownershi pan d Edi tori a l D irec tio n

E ven b efore protest s b roke out  this  year , Ho ng  Kong ’s med ia en vi ronment had bec omeincreasin gly  c ons tr ained ,  at le ast  in  tradit ional p r int  a n d br oadcast. Foundersan d ow ners ofmediao rg an i zationssh oul d ha v e  righ ts t o  s hape edi torial co ve rage. A  c hangein  ow ner shipc an n atural ly leadto ac hange in appro a ch to news an d  o p i ni o n. W hat ’s worrisom e is when  own e rs  ar e  subj ect t oh id d en, outside politic al  press ures,  or when a co ncentratio n o f owners hipe ff e ctively blotsout t he possibi l ity of i ndepe ndent vi ews. This i s the ri skinHon g K o n g,  as reversion t o Ch in ese rul e h as been  fo llo wed  by  i ncreasedownershi pby  b us ine ss in t erests w it h c lo sebusin e ss and  poli tica lti e s t o China . 
A c cord in gto a  re ce nt ta llyt heHong Ko ng Journa lis t s As so ci ation ( HKJA) provide dto CPJ, ma in lan d Chin e s e author ities or corporations l e d by Co mmu nistPart y members  co ntrolnin e  of 26  mains tream  m edi a outle t s ,inc lu ding the d o m ina nt TV  b road caster,  TVB, and the domi n ant  English news pap er,t h eSou t hC hin aM orn i n g Post. In addi tion, Chin es e  b usinessmen who  a re notresiden ts of mainlan d China b ut instea dhave C hin ese politi cal appo intments, sucha sdeput ies  of th eNat ional  Peopl e ’sCongr ess, c on trol a dditi on al media  properties, bringing t o over  half  th e numberofm edi a propert ieswith close  ma inl and p oli t icalties . 
Cha n ges s tart e d beforet he  19 9 7  h andover. In t h e f ormer  Br i tish c olon y, then anti-comm u nist newspaper s li k e  th e M i ng P ao  and pro-commu nis tm e dia outl et s like Ta K ung Paoan d  WenWei Po  freel y compe t e df or rea ders . T wo months  be fo r e the h an do v er, Th e Wa ll  Stree t Jour n al ( W S J) took note ofthe s h i ft in edi toria lattitud e , in  particula r at Ming P ao, wh ichit de scribed  a s “ret rea ti ng” from a g gressivecover age.

A  p edes tri an wal ks p a s t a c lose dnew sstand wi t h  t h elo g o o f th e Sou th  Chi na Mornin g  Post (S CMP )  in Hon gKon g on Dec e mb e r  12, 2015,  fo llowi n g  the acqui s itio n  b y  Chin ese in ternet  giantA lib ab a of th e E n g lish-lang uage news p ape r.  (AF P/Anthon yWall ac e)
T he South ChinaMorningPost (SC M P ), con tro l leda fter 1 99 3
 for_50 years._“Rights and freedoms, including_those of_the_person, of_speech,_of the press,_of assembly, of_association, of travel, of_movement, of correspondence,_of_strike, of choice of occupation, of academic research and of religious belief will be_ensured_by law_in_the_Hong Kong Special Administrative Region,”_according to the Sino-British Joint_Declaration, which_governed the Chinese government takeover.

After 22 years of_restored_Chinese sovereignty over_Hong Kong, these freedoms are under severe pressure.

Ownership and_Editorial Direction

Even before protests broke out_this year, Hong_Kong’s_media_environment had become increasingly_constrained, at least in traditional print_and broadcast. Founders and owners of_media organizations should have rights to shape_editorial coverage. A change in ownership_can naturally lead to a_change in_approach to news and opinion._What’s worrisome is_when owners_are subject to_hidden, outside political pressures, or when_a concentration of_ownership effectively blots out the possibility_of_independent views. This_is_the_risk in_Hong Kong, as_reversion_to Chinese_rule_has been followed by increased ownership_by_business interests with close business and political_ties to China.

According to_a_recent tally the Hong_Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) provided_to CPJ, mainland Chinese authorities or_corporations led_by Communist_Party members control nine of 26 mainstream media outlets, including the_dominant TV broadcaster, TVB, and the_dominant English newspaper, the_South China_Morning_Post. In addition,_Chinese_businessmen who_are not residents of mainland China but_instead have_Chinese political appointments, such as deputies_of the National People’s_Congress,_control additional media properties, bringing to_over half the number of media_properties with close mainland political_ties.

Changes_started_before the 1997 handover. In_the former British colony, then anti-communist_newspapers like the_Ming Pao and pro-communist media outlets like_Ta_Kung Pao and Wen Wei Po_freely_competed for readers. Two months before_the_handover,_The Wall Street Journal (WSJ)_took note of the shift in_editorial attitude, in particular at Ming Pao, which it_described as “retreating”_from aggressive coverage.

A pedestrian walks_past_a_closed newsstand with the logo of the South China Morning_Post (SCMP)_in Hong Kong_on December 12, 2015, following the acquisition by Chinese internet_giant Alibaba of the English-language newspaper. (AFP/Anthony_Wallace)

The South China Morning Post (SCMP), controlled after 1993