Hong Kong’s New “Fake News” Law: A Fresh Twist in the Media Monopoly
On Tuesday (May 4), Carrie Lam—boss of Hong Kong’s political circus—hinted that the government is brewing up a “fake news” legislative brew that promises to snatch away “misinformation, hatred and lies.” The timing could not have been more dramatic, with the global financial hub’s media freedoms slipping under Beijing’s thumb.
What’s Behind the Curtain?
Since 2020’s sweeping national‑security law, Hong Kong has moved from a genteel democracy playground to a tight‑rope circus run by authoritarian directors. Now the city’s legal goat‑shepherds are tightening the leash, moving from curbing dissent to restructuring the very institutions that once dared say “no.
Key Pieces of the Puzzle
- Fake‑news law—Still a draft in the making, no deadline in sight.
- RTHK overhaul—Bureaucrats with no broadcasting DNA now rule the public radio.
- Journalist dismissal—Nabela Qoser’s contract got the axe after critics slammed her questions.
- Archive bombing—RTHK is pulling old clips from YouTube and other social media, sparking an online back‑up craze.
The RTHK Overhaul
Who’s Holding the Reins?
A new bureaucrat with zero media experience has taken the helm at RTHK, signalling that the “red‑line” used in education and public services is heading straight for the newsroom. The move screams: any “uncut” entertainment could soon be banned.
Journalistic Fallout
Nabela Qoser, the hard‑talking reporter who never pulled a breath during the 2019 anti‑government protests, saw her contract terminated the day after a public‑broadcast “fake news” talk. Her exit points to a quickening crackdown on voices that dare voice dissent.
Backup, Drop, and Blockchain
After RTHK began slashing old archives from its YouTube and other social feeds, online activists started duping the lost content onto blockchain platforms, turning the city’s media archive into a “digital museum.” Very clever to keep the memory alive while the main channel goes silent.
The Yuen Long Incident, 2019
Police, Protesters and the Unsolved Mystery
Back in July 2019, a threat‑name—more than a hundred men in white T‑shirts—thrashed a train station in Yuen Long with sticks and poles, targeting reporters, activists and civilians alike. The police took a direct hit in public opinion, with some claiming collusion with triads—a claim the police deny and no courts have confirmed.
Freedom Ranking and the Gloomy Trend
Reporters Without Borders ranks Hong Kong 80th out of 180 in press freedom—an ugly descent spanning the last decade. As fake‑news bills loom, this ranking feels like a reality check in the city’s glass‑bottle economy.
