US-funded Radio Free Asia shuts Hong Kong bureau under new law

HONG KONG: Radio Free Asia (RFA) has shuttered its Hong Kong bureau due to safety concerns under the city’s national security law, marking a significant blow to media freedoms.

Bay Fang, RFA’s president, stated that while the outlet will maintain its official media registration, it will no longer have full-time staff in Hong Kong.

"Actions by Hong Kong authorities, including referring to RFA as a ‘foreign force,’ raise serious questions about our ability to operate in safety with the enactment of Article 23," Fang said.

The closure of RFA’s bureau underscores the diminishing space for a free press in Hong Kong following the enactment of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance.

The move has drawn international concern, with Rep. Gregory Meeks expressing worries over the erosion of free speech and media freedom. Cedric Alviani of Reporters Without Borders emphasized the chilling effect on media outlets caused by the security law. "We urge democracies to build up pressure on Chinese authorities so that press freedom is fully restored in the territory," Alviani said.

The U.S. State Department announced new visa restrictions on unspecified Hong Kong officials responsible for crackdowns on rights and freedoms. The department warned that the security law could suppress dissent and intimidate activists, undermining media freedom in the territory.

Once hailed for its media freedom, Hong Kong has undergone significant changes since the 2020 security law was imposed following anti-government protests. Two critical news outlets, Apple Daily and Stand News, were forced to shut down, and the city’s press freedom ranking has plummeted.

The recent enactment of the security law has expanded the government’s power to silence dissent and target perceived threats to its rule. Journalists worry that the broadly framed law could criminalize their work and stifle media freedom.

RFA has faced scrutiny from the Hong Kong government, with police condemning the outlet for allegedly spreading false information by activist Ted Hui. Hui, a former lawmaker, is among activists targeted under the security law for advocating sanctions on Hong Kong and China.

The Hong Kong government has dismissed criticism of the security law, asserting that it targets only a minority, endangering national security. "To single out Hong Kong and suggest that journalists would only experience concerns when operating here but not in other countries would be grossly biased, if not outrageous," it said.

Fang assured RFA’s Hong Kong and mainland China audience that its content will continue without disruption. "This restructuring means that RFA will shift to using a different journalistic model reserved for closed media environments," she said. However, the closure of RFA’s bureau underscores the challenges faced by media organizations operating under the national security law, raising concerns about the future of press freedom in Hong Kong.