Hong Kong's call for 'fake news' law raises media crackdown fears

Press association attacks move as another 'sword over journalists' heads'

20210814N Apple Daily last day

Lam Man-chung, executive editor-in-chief of Apple Daily, stands in the newsroom on the day of the newspaper's final edition. © Reuters

TAKESHI KIHARA, Nikkei staff writer

HONG KONG -- The Hong Kong government is considering a law targeting "fake news" that would allow authorities to demand retractions or corrections from news organizations, a move seen as an attempt to further stifle press freedom.

John Lee Ka-chiu, Hong Kong's chief secretary for administration, and the territory's security secretary, Chris Tang Ping-keung, are pushing the effort, citing the mass pro-democracy protests in 2019. Both men insist that unverified information circulated online fueled hatred toward police and divided society during the protests that rocked the city.

Sponsored Content

About Sponsored ContentThis content was commissioned by Nikkei's Global Business Bureau.