Hong Kong's Press Freedom Plummets: From 18th to 140th in Two Decades

• Hong Kong's press freedom ranking dropped from 18th to 140th globally in 20 years, marked by shutdowns and increased self-censorship.
• The decline accelerated after Beijing imposed a national security law in 2020, curtailing civil liberties.
• Pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily was forced to shut down, and its founder Jimmy Lai was convicted under the security law.
• Online news site Stand News also faced arrests, raids, and asset freezes, leading to its closure.
• Journalists now face 'red lines' and self-censorship, making it difficult to report on politically sensitive topics or find willing interviewees.

Why It Matters: Hong Kong's press freedom has severely eroded due to national security laws, leading to media shutdowns and self-censorship.