NGO Reporters Without Borders rejects ‘anti-China' tag, expresses concern for health of jailed tycoon Jimmy Lai
The pro-establishment Hong Kong Federation of Journalists (HKFJ) described RSF, which on Tuesday issued a statement raising concerns about Lai's health, as an 'anti-China' force, accusing the free expression NGO of undermining the rule of law.
Lai, the founder of defunct pro-democracy tabloid Apple Daily, stands accused of foreign collusion charges that could land him in prison for life.
The federation was quoted by the state-backed Wen Wei Po and Ta Kung Pao on Thursday as claiming that RSF had 'trampled on the rule of law' and 'grossly interfered' in Hong Kong's internal affairs. It has previously hit out at the local journalists' association and voiced support for local security laws and the jailing of Stand News journalists.
'RSF is not anti-China, it is pro-press freedom'
Those claims were made 'brazenly,' RSF said in a Thursday statement, saying that its mission was to 'defend journalism — especially against authoritarian regimes like China that seek to crush it[.]'
'RSF is not anti-China, it is pro-press freedom. This is not about being 'pro' or 'anti' China, but about being for or against free, pluralistic, and independent media,' RSF's Director of Advocacy and Assistance Antoine Bernard said in the statement.
Without naming any organisations, Hong Kong authorities on Wednesday rejected 'slanderous remarks made by external forces, including anti-China media organisations' regarding Lai's case.
'Their intention to smear and attack the HKSAR Government is blatantly obvious and must be sternly denounced to set the record straight,' a government spokesperson said in a statement.
Medical issue
The government made similar remarks last month when it defended the mogul's detention arrangements, the spokesperson also maintained that correctional facilities were 'humane and safe,' adding that Lai's solitary confinement was 'at his own request.'
On Friday, closing arguments for Lai's trial were further postponed over a medical issue with the tycoon's heart. Proceedings will resume on Monday after the septuagenarian receives medication and a heart monitor.
Citing the government's Wednesday statement, the HKFJ said that RSF had 'turned a blind eye' to Lai's treatment in detention, adding that the global press freedom group's accusations amounted to a 'serious violation of the most basic professional ethics of journalists.'
The federation also said that the charges against Lai 'have been made clear to all' throughout his trial, adding that it 'firmly supports' the city's judicial and law enforcement agencies in 'discharging their duties in accordance with the law, firmly upholding the rule of law in Hong Kong, and resolutely opposing political suppression by foreign forces.'
RSF on Tuesday urged 'global action' as Lai's health continued to deteriorate ahead of closing arguments in his trial. The Apple Daily founder appeared thinner than he did five months ago, when proceedings were adjourned following his 52-day oral testimony.
Trump to raise Lai
Separately, Lai has become the subject of discussion in a Thursday Fox News interview with US President Donald Trump, who appeared to walk back an earlier comment that he would '100 per cent' get Lai out of prison in Hong Kong and out of China.
'I didn't say 100 per cent I'd save him. I said, 100 per cent, I'm going to be bringing it up' in a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump said on Thursday.
Hong Kong has plummeted in international press freedom indices since the onset of the security law. Watchdogs cite the arrest of journalists, raids on newsrooms and the closure of around 10 media outlets including Apple Daily, Stand News and Citizen News.
Over 1,000 journalists have lost their jobs, whilst many have emigrated. Meanwhile, the city's government-funded broadcaster RTHK has adopted new editorial guidelines, purged its archives and axed news and satirical shows.
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