A Hong Kong court on Thursday (Aug&nbsp;29) convicted two editors of the now-shuttered Stand News media outlet of conspiring to publish seditious articles in a significant case under the ongoing security crackdown in the China-ruled city. The ruling has drawn criticism worldwide with particular concerns raised about&nbsp;the erosion of media freedoms.

Chung Pui-kuen, 54, and Patrick Lam, 36, were found guilty of charges that could lead to a maximum prison sentence of two years. This verdict represents the first sedition conviction against journalists or editors in Hong Kong since the city's 1997 handover from Britain to China.

The case has been condemned by various international observers, including the US government, as a stark example of the declining press freedoms under the intensifying national security measures in Hong Kong.

Also watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: YouTube blocks protest anthem 'glory to Hong Kong'

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Stand News, once a prominent online media platform known for its critical reporting and commentary was targeted by the Chinese authorities in&nbsp;December 2021. The police raided the outlet, froze its assets, and effectively forced its closure within days.

The charges against Chung, Lam, and the parent company, Best Pencil (Hong Kong) Ltd, relate to the publication of 17 articles and commentaries between July 2020 and December 2021, which prosecutors argued were seditious in nature.

Despite pleading not guilty, both Chung and Lam were convicted.

Only Chung was present in court on Thursday for the verdict, while Lam's absence remained unexplained.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tiananmen-square-anniversary-tight-security-in-china-and-hong-kong-taiwan-says-will-never-forget-crackdown-728493">Tiananmen Square anniversary: Tight security in China and Hong Kong; Taiwan says will never forget crackdown</a>

In his judgment, District Court Judge Kwok Wai-kin said&nbsp;that the court's decision on seditious intent was influenced by considerations of "potential danger to national security" and the specific circumstances prevailing at the time of publication.

This case reflects the increasingly stringent measures against media organisations in Hong Kong amid broader concerns about the city's autonomy and freedoms under Chinese rule.

A Hong Kong court on Thursday (Aug 29) convicted two editors of the now-shuttered Stand News media outlet of conspiring to publish seditious articles in a significant case under the ongoing security crackdown in the China-ruled city.

A Hong Kong court on Thursday (Aug 29) convicted two editors of the now-shuttered Stand News media outlet of conspiring to publish seditious articles in a significant case under the ongoing security crackdown in the China-ruled city. The ruling has drawn criticism worldwide with particular concerns raised about the erosion of media freedoms. Chung Pui-kuen, 54, and Patrick Lam, 36, were found guilty of charges that could lead to a maximum prison sentence of two years. This verdict represents the first sedition conviction against journalists or editors in Hong Kong since the city's 1997 handover from Britain to China. The case has been condemned by various international observers, including the US government, as a stark example of the declining press freedoms under the intensifying national security measures in Hong Kong. Also watch | Gravitas: YouTube blocks protest anthem 'glory to Hong Kong' × Stand News, once a prominent online media platform known for its critical reporting and commentary was targeted by the Chinese authorities in December 2021. The police raided the outlet, froze its assets, and effectively forced its closure within days. The charges against Chung, Lam, and the parent company, Best Pencil (Hong Kong) Ltd, relate to the publication of 17 articles and commentaries between July 2020 and December 2021, which prosecutors argued were seditious in nature. Despite pleading not guilty, both Chung and Lam were convicted. Only Chung was present in court on Thursday for the verdict, while Lam's absence remained unexplained. Also read | Tiananmen Square anniversary: Tight security in China and Hong Kong; Taiwan says will never forget crackdown In his judgment, District Court Judge Kwok Wai-kin said that the court's decision on seditious intent was influenced by considerations of "potential danger to national security" and the specific circumstances prevailing at the time of publication. This case reflects the increasingly stringent measures against media organisations in Hong Kong amid broader concerns about the city's autonomy and freedoms under Chinese rule.

Hong Kong news outlet Stand News and editors convicted of sedition

Independent online publication Citizen News has become the third company to close in Hong Kong as media fears grow amid the rise in the Chinese crackdown.

The company said its shut down had been triggered by the closure of Stand News, a pro-democracy media outlet. Hong Kong police had raided its office and arrested seven people.

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Chris Yeung, the chief writer at Citizen News and former president of the Hong Kong Journalists Association, told reporters, "The decision was made within a short period of time. The trigger point was the fate of Stand News."

"We could not rule out that ... we might be exposed to some risks."

"We have been trying our best not to violate any laws but we can no longer see clearly the lines of law enforcement and we can no longer feel safe to work," he said.

"Journalists are also human beings with families and friends," he added.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-former-editors-of-stand-news-charged-with-sedition-441192">Also read |&nbsp;Hong Kong: Former editors of Stand News charged with sedition</a>

Beijing is overseeing a sweeping crackdown on dissent ever since it passed the Hong Kong national security law under which saying or printing anything against the Communist Party of China is considered "sedition".

Hong Kong had long been a regional and international media hub, even as the city's press freedom ranking steadily slipped over the last decade.

But in the last 18 months, unprecedented changes have swept through the industry, primarily targeting the local press.

China says rights advocacy is being used as an attempt to disrupt&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong's progress after the security law restored stability.

Outspoken tabloid Apple Daily collapsed last year after its assets were frozen and key leaders arrested under a new national security law over the content it published.

(With inputs from agencies)

Independent online publication Citizen News has become the third company to close in Hong Kong as media fears grow amid the rise in the Chinese crackdown. The company said its shut down had been triggered by the closure of Stand News, a pro-democracy media outlet.

Independent online publication Citizen News has become the third company to close in Hong Kong as media fears grow amid the rise in the Chinese crackdown. The company said its shut down had been triggered by the closure of Stand News, a pro-democracy media outlet. Hong Kong police had raided its office and arrested seven people. Chris Yeung, the chief writer at Citizen News and former president of the Hong Kong Journalists Association, told reporters, "The decision was made within a short period of time. The trigger point was the fate of Stand News." "We could not rule out that ... we might be exposed to some risks." "We have been trying our best not to violate any laws but we can no longer see clearly the lines of law enforcement and we can no longer feel safe to work," he said. "Journalists are also human beings with families and friends," he added. Also read | Hong Kong: Former editors of Stand News charged with sedition Beijing is overseeing a sweeping crackdown on dissent ever since it passed the Hong Kong national security law under which saying or printing anything against the Communist Party of China is considered "sedition". Hong Kong had long been a regional and international media hub, even as the city's press freedom ranking steadily slipped over the last decade. But in the last 18 months, unprecedented changes have swept through the industry, primarily targeting the local press. China says rights advocacy is being used as an attempt to disrupt Hong Kong's progress after the security law restored stability. Outspoken tabloid Apple Daily collapsed last year after its assets were frozen and key leaders arrested under a new national security law over the content it published. (With inputs from agencies)

Hong Kong: Third news company shutters amid Chinese crackdown on dissent

Two former senior editors of Stand News, a pro-democracy news outlet in Hong Kong,&nbsp;were charged with conspiring to publish seditious material, said authorities. This has come a day after about 200 police personnel raided the office of the online publication..

The raid took place on Wednesday (December 29). Assets of Stan News were frozen and several current and former senior editors and former board members were arrested.

The raid was criticised by media advocacy groups and Western governments. The action by the authorities is being seen as a further erosion of press freedom in Hong Kong.

The National Security Department of the police said in a statement it had laid charges of conspiracy to publish seditious material against two men and an online media company.

"The other arrestees are being detained for further enquires," the department said in a statement.

While it did not identify the two or the company a charge sheet filed at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Court and seen by Reuters identified them as former Stand News chief editor Chung Pui-kuen and Patrick Lam, acting chief editor.

The same charge of conspiring "to publish and/or reproduce seditious publications" was levelled against Best Pencil (Hong Kong) Limited, the organisation behind Stand News.

Reuters could not reach the pair, nor any of the other five still in detention, including four former board members of Stand News, for comment. Their legal representatives could also not be reached nor could Reuters reach any representative of Best Pencil.

Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997 with the promise that wide-ranging individual rights, including a free press, would be protected.

But pro-democracy activists and rights groups say freedoms have been eroded, in particular since China imposed the new national security law after months of at times violent pro-democracy protests.

Hong Kong's government denies that and its leader, Carrie Lam, said the action against Stand News was aimed at seditious activity not the suppression of the media.

"These actions have nothing to do with so-called suppression of press freedom," Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam told reporters.

"Journalism is not seditious ... but seditious activities could not be condoned under the guise of news reporting."

(With inputs from agencies)

Two former senior editors of Stand News, a pro-democracy news outlet in Hong Kong, were charged with conspiring to publish seditious material, said authorities. This has come a day after about 200 police personnel raided the office of the online publication.

Two former senior editors of Stand News, a pro-democracy news outlet in Hong Kong, were charged with conspiring to publish seditious material, said authorities. This has come a day after about 200 police personnel raided the office of the online publication.. The raid took place on Wednesday (December 29). Assets of Stan News were frozen and several current and former senior editors and former board members were arrested. The raid was criticised by media advocacy groups and Western governments. The action by the authorities is being seen as a further erosion of press freedom in Hong Kong. The National Security Department of the police said in a statement it had laid charges of conspiracy to publish seditious material against two men and an online media company. "The other arrestees are being detained for further enquires," the department said in a statement. While it did not identify the two or the company a charge sheet filed at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Court and seen by Reuters identified them as former Stand News chief editor Chung Pui-kuen and Patrick Lam, acting chief editor. The same charge of conspiring "to publish and/or reproduce seditious publications" was levelled against Best Pencil (Hong Kong) Limited, the organisation behind Stand News. Reuters could not reach the pair, nor any of the other five still in detention, including four former board members of Stand News, for comment. Their legal representatives could also not be reached nor could Reuters reach any representative of Best Pencil. Hong Kong returned to Chinese rule in 1997 with the promise that wide-ranging individual rights, including a free press, would be protected. But pro-democracy activists and rights groups say freedoms have been eroded, in particular since China imposed the new national security law after months of at times violent pro-democracy protests. Hong Kong's government denies that and its leader, Carrie Lam, said the action against Stand News was aimed at seditious activity not the suppression of the media. "These actions have nothing to do with so-called suppression of press freedom," Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam told reporters. "Journalism is not seditious ... but seditious activities could not be condoned under the guise of news reporting." (With inputs from agencies)

Hong Kong: Former editors of Stand News charged with sedition

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Hong Kong news outlet Stand News and editors convicted of sedition

Hong Kong: Third news company shutters amid Chinese crackdown on dissent

Hong Kong: Former editors of Stand News charged with sedition