A representative of Reporters Without Borders, Aleksandra Bielakowska, was deported from Hong Kong upon arrival, signaling a new decline in press freedom in the Chinese territory. Bielakowska, who is based in Taiwan, was detained for six hours at Hong Kong International Airport, questioned, and had her belongings searched three times before being deported without explanation. This incident marked the first time any of Reporters Without Borders’ representatives had been denied entry or detained at the Hong Kong airport, prompting strong condemnation from the advocacy group.
Hong Kong recently enacted a local national security law known as Article 23, following a broader national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020. The laws target foreign interference and other crimes, with Hong Kong and Chinese officials justifying them as necessary to restore stability after anti-government protests in 2019. However, critics argue that the new laws will further erode civil liberties in Hong Kong, which was promised political freedoms for 50 years after its return to Chinese rule in 1997. The deportation of Bielakowska highlights concerns over the authoritarian climate in Hong Kong.
Bielakowska had traveled to Hong Kong to meet with journalists and monitor the trial of media tycoon Jimmy Lai, who faces national security charges and possible life imprisonment. While she and other Reporters Without Borders representatives had successfully entered Hong Kong on previous occasions, this incident indicates a growing crackdown on freedom of the press in the region. Bielakowska’s colleague, Cédric Alviani, entered Hong Kong without incident but left later, emphasizing the fears of NGO workers and human rights defenders reporting on the authoritarian atmosphere in the once-free territory.
The decline in press freedom in Hong Kong has been significant in recent years, with the region falling to 140th out of 180 countries and territories in Reporters Without Borders’ 2023 World Press Freedom Index, down from 70th in 2018. In another high-profile case, two senior editors from Stand News, a pro-democracy newspaper forcibly closed in December 2021, are facing charges under a colonial-era sedition law that carries a maximum penalty of two years in prison. The verdict in their trial is expected on April 29, adding to concerns about the shrinking space for independent media in Hong Kong.
The closure of the U.S.-funded media outlet Radio Free Asia’s bureau in Hong Kong last month further underscores the impact of the newly enacted Article 23 legislation on media freedom. With increasing restrictions on journalists and media outlets, the situation in Hong Kong is raising alarms internationally. The deportation of Bielakowska and the ongoing trials of media figures indicate a dangerous trend towards censorship and suppression of dissent in the region. As such, advocacy groups and freedom of speech supporters continue to call for action to defend press freedom in Hong Kong and push back against repressive measures that threaten democratic values.
