Hong Kong Epoch Times to End Print Edition After 23 Years

The Hong Kong edition of The Epoch Times will release its final print edition on Sept. 17, 2024, marking the end of its 23-year run. The newspaper announced this decision on its Chinese website on Sept. 6, citing the inability to renew its printing facility lease and other challenges in Hong Kong.

Established in 2001, The Epoch Times in Hong Kong has been one of the few local media outlets to expose the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its human rights record.

Although the print edition is being suspended, the website will continue its operations, the announcement said.

According to Ingrid Wu, vice president of the newspaper, the paper has long faced challenges in securing leases for both its printing and office spaces. Landlords have cited pressure from national security authorities in mainland China, though the exact reason for the latest contract non-renewal remains unclear.

The newspaper was free until 2016, when it started being sold at some newspaper stalls. By May 2019, it was available at 499 7-Eleven stores and about 200 newspaper stalls in Hong Kong. Nevertheless, the newspaper sold at 7-Eleven was pulled from shelves after only two months.

“The buyer of 7-Eleven told me the day after it went on sale, saying they were under great pressure,” Wu said. “A month later, they reduced the number of stores selling the newspaper to 150. After another month, they removed the publication from all shelves entirely.”

Since the enactment of the National Security Law in June 2020, Hong Kong has seen a wave of pro-democracy media closures. Outlets such as Apple Daily, Stand News, and Citizen News have all ceased publication, leaving a dwindling space for independent journalism.

Attacks on Reporters, Printing Press

Over the years, the paper has faced mounting pressure, including five attacks on its printing facilities. One of the most serious incidents occurred in November 2019 when four masked individuals set fire to the newspaper’s printing press.

In April 2021, another group of masked intruders stormed the printing shop armed with sledgehammers and a knife, smashing equipment and forcing the shop to halt operations temporarily.

The U.S. State Department condemned the April 2021 assault, urging Hong Kong authorities to hold the attackers accountable.

On May 11, 2021, Sarah Liang, a reporter for the paper, was brutally assaulted by a masked man with an aluminum baseball bat in broad daylight. The perpetrator hit her more than 10 times before fleeing in a car.

No arrests have been made in connection with the attacks.

Because of its critical coverage of the CCP, those attacks are suspected to have been orchestrated by the CCP to silence the publication.

Reactions

The announcement sparked reactions from prominent figures and media personalities in the community. Stephen Shik Ngor Char, former chief investigator of the operations department at the independent commission against corruption in Hong Kong, said: “Thank you for all you have done for Hong Kong. There is good in heaven and on earth. I always believe that evil cannot triumph over good.”

Kam Cheung Leung, a Hong Kong media personality, wrote to the paper: “This is truly sad news. The editorial team at The Epoch Times has persevered for years under incredibly challenging conditions. Their dedication to publishing day and night shows a deep conviction and such efforts deserve our respect.”

Hans Wingyu Yeung, a historian now residing in the UK, echoed these sentiments.

“It’s a pity the print edition is ending, but I would encourage people to support their online version,” he said. “We should continue to support the media with a conscience. We need to browse more, comment more, and share more to keep the truth about Hong Kong and China alive.”

Source link