Hong Kong journalists are grappling with heightened fears of surveillance following the 2021 raid on Stand News, an event that saw not only arrests and asset seizures but also the confiscation of all digital devices. This significant incident, which led to the closure of a key pro-democracy news outlet, has amplified concerns about information control and the monitoring of journalistic activities in the Chinese-ruled city.
The raid, executed by over 200 officers, targeted Stand News’ newsroom, seizing computers, mobile phones, and hard drives. This action effectively shut down one of Hong Kong’s last remaining independent, pro-democracy media voices. For many journalists, the seizure of these devices underscored a new reality: a pervasive expectation of digital monitoring and increased state surveillance powers affecting their work and sources.
Reporters and media advocates observe that the Stand News case has fostered a climate of caution within the press, discouraging bold investigative journalism. The authorities stated the raid was related to sedition charges. However, the comprehensive seizure of journalistic materials and the rapid deletion of online archives by the outlet signaled the vulnerability of media data under Hong Kong’s national security laws. These laws empower police to order the removal of content deemed a threat to national security and to compel internet platforms to provide user data, leading to website blocks and restrictions.
The combined threat of physical raids and enhanced digital surveillance powers has blurred the lines for journalists. “We worry not just about our published work, but about what’s stored on our personal devices, our messages, our communications,” shared a local reporter who wished to remain anonymous due to safety concerns. This sentiment reflects a widespread anxiety about privacy and professional security.
Data supports these concerns. A 2023 survey by the Foreign Correspondents’ Club indicated that more than 10% of journalists in Hong Kong reported experiencing digital or physical surveillance. This phenomenon, once more characteristic of mainland China, is now a growing concern in the city. Journalists are modifying their practices, adopting encryption tools as standard, and exercising greater caution in contacting sources and selecting topics.
Official statements reiterate that Hong Kong law protects press freedom, albeit not absolutely. Enforcement actions, they claim, are directed at unlawful conduct. However, legislative changes, such as amendments to anti-doxxing laws, have granted authorities greater powers to compel online platforms to remove content and reveal user information, increasing risks for journalists and their sources. Press groups argue these developments create an opaque system for restricting information, allowing outlets to be shut down rapidly and reporters to face scrutiny for their work.
The Stand News raid highlighted this exposure, as internal documents were seized, raising critical questions about source protection and the confidentiality of newsgathering. In the wake of Stand News’ closure, Citizen News also ceased operations, citing concerns about the “deteriorating media environment” and staff safety. This has led to widespread self-censorship, with journalists avoiding sensitive subjects and moderating their language, effectively scaling back investigative reporting.
Experts see Hong Kong’s media environment increasingly mirroring that of mainland China, characterized by extensive surveillance and content controls. The Stand News incident has eroded the belief that journalistic work is inherently protected, demonstrating the fragility of such safeguards in the current climate. For many journalists, the threat of surveillance is no longer theoretical but an integral part of their daily professional reality.
