Stand News ex-editor seeks appeal over sedition conviction
Bastillepost · 2 SOURCESabout 4 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Former Stand News acting chief editor Lam Siu-tung sought leave to appeal his conviction on Tuesday in the High Court over one interview article linked to the outlet’s sedition publication case. During the hearing, appellate judges repeatedly questioned whether the article republished false claims about the 2019 Chinese University campus clashes, while the defence argued it merely recorded interviewees’ subjective feelings.
Key Points
- Lam Siu-tung, 36, was convicted over approving one article among 11 ruled seditious and had a 14-month sentence starting point, but was released because of time remanded and health concerns.
- The appeal was heard by Chief Judge of the High Court Jeremy Poon Shiu-chor, Vice-President of the Court of Appeal Derek Pang Wai-cheong and Court of First Instance judge Alex Tam Chiu-ho
- Defence counsel Ma Wai-kwan argued the article was a profile interview published two years after the November 2019 Chinese University clashes, recording two former students’ reflections rather than inciting readers.
- Justice Alex Tam said the sports ground fire was started by protesters, not police, and questioned why editors published material two years later that still appeared to blame police.
- Justice Derek Pang said the piece carried only one side, was generally inaccurate and extreme, and lacked balancing material, although the defence said a police response was appended below the article
Why It Matters
The appeal focuses on whether publishing an interview containing disputed factual assertions and strong personal recollections can amount to sedition, a question with implications for how Hong Kong courts assess editorial responsibility and intent in media cases. The Court of Appeal said it would reserve judgment and deliver its ruling within six months, leaving the legal boundaries for such reporting under continued scrutiny.