April 30, 2024

Press Freedom

China

OPC Condemns Arrest of Jimmy Lai

Photo: Hong Kong media tycoon and founder of Apple Daily newspaper Jimmy Lai arrives at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Court on May 18, 2020 in Hong Kong, China. 15 pro-democracy veterans and supporters were charged on May 18 for taking part in one of the last year’s banned anti-government protest. Photo by Anthony Kwan/Getty Images

Jimmy Lai, the 71-year-old Hong Kong pro-Democracy media mogul, was arrested Monday under the new National Security Law. His newspaper offices were raided and Lai along with six others were  charged with “suspicion of collusion with foreign forces,” according to news reports.

The Overseas Press Club condemns Lai’s arrest as it demonstrates the new National Security Law exists to deprive the Hong Kong-based media of press freedom.


The Overseas Press Club is an international association of journalists based in New York City that works to encourage the highest standards in journalism, to educate the next generation of foreign correspondents and to promote international press freedom and the well-being of colleagues in the field.