Wall St Journal set to plead not guilty in unlawful termination suit filed by press union chief Selina Cheng
Acting Principal Magistrate David Cheung on Wednesday reserved four days in December for the trial of the case between Cheng and her former employer, after the legal representative of Dow Jones Publishing Co. (Asia) Inc, the parent company of the Journal, indicated that the company would plead not guilty.
The magistrate will meet both parties on November 7 for the media company to enter a formal plea, as well as finalise the admitted facts of the case for trial.
The four-day trial is scheduled to start on December 18.
Shortly after Cheng was fired from the Journal in July last year, she told reporters that she had been informed her position at the press union would be 'incompatible' with her job and that she had not had permission to take on the role.
A spokesperson for Dow Jones told HKFP at the time that the company would not comment on 'specific individuals.' They also said that the Journal 'has been and continues to be a fierce and vocal advocate for press freedom in Hong Kong and around the world.'
The HKJA chairperson filed a complaint with the Labour Department in November, after which it consulted the Department of Justice (DoJ) about whether to prosecute the Journal.
The DoJ confirmed last month that it would not intervene in the case, as Cheng proceeded with private prosecution.
Hong Kong's Employment Ordinance stipulates that it is an offence for an employer to prevent an employee from undertaking trade union membership and activities. An employer is also liable to conviction if they dismiss an employee for exercising those rights.
Cheng was first elected chairperson of the HKJA at the union's annual general meeting on June 22 last year, with 100 votes in favour and two against. A new executive committee was also elected at the meeting.
She was re-elected union chief last month.
The HKJA, founded in 1968, has come under fire from Hong Kong authorities and state-backed media since the city was wracked by months-long protests and unrest in 2019. The press group has been accused of smearing the police force, allowing 'fake journalists' to join, and protecting protesters.
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