Hong Kong weaponizes tax audits to suppress independent media
Hong Kong authorities are penalizing journalists and media outlets with unjustified tax demands, targeting independent press before audits are finalized.
🔹 Eight media outlets & 20 journalists hit with sudden tax audits.
🔹 Some taxed for nonexistent companies or for periods before their outlets existed.
🔹 HK$700,000 demanded from media, HK$1 million from individuals.
🔹 Critics warn tax laws are now tools for political repression.
#HongKong#PressFreedom#PoliticalRepression#IndependentMedia#TaxHarassment
香港利用稅務審查打壓獨立媒體
香港當局懲罰新聞機構和記者，以不合理稅款鎮壓獨立媒體。
🔹 8家媒體、20名記者* 突遭稅務審查。
🔹 部分遭要求支付不存在公司的稅款，甚至在 *媒體成立前已被審查 。
🔹 要求媒體繳納70萬港元，個別記者須支付100萬港元。
🔹 批評者警告：稅法已成政治打壓工具 。
#香港#新聞自由#政治打壓#獨立媒體#稅務迫害
Hong Kong weaponizes tax audits to suppress independent media
Hong Kong authorities are penalizing journalists and media outlets with unjustified tax demands, targeting independent press before audits are finalized.
🔹 Eight media outlets & 20 journalists hit with sudden tax audits.
🔹 Some taxed for nonexistent companies or for periods before their outlets existed.
🔹 HK$700,000 demanded from media, HK$1 million from individuals.
🔹 Critics warn tax laws are now tools for political repression.
#HongKong#PressFreedom#PoliticalRepression#IndependentMedia#TaxHarassment
香港利用稅務審查打壓獨立媒體
香港當局懲罰新聞機構和記者，以不合理稅款鎮壓獨立媒體。
🔹 8家媒體、20名記者* 突遭稅務審查。
🔹 部分遭要求支付不存在公司的稅款，甚至在 *媒體成立前已被審查 。
🔹 要求媒體繳納70萬港元，個別記者須支付100萬港元。
🔹 批評者警告：稅法已成政治打壓工具 。
#香港#新聞自由#政治打壓#獨立媒體#稅務迫害
#HongKong has fallen to 140th place in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index, marking its lowest ranking in history and officially entering the "red zone" for press freedom⁽. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) warns that Hong Kong now faces a very serious situation for journalists, joining mainland China among the world's most restrictive media environments.
Since the enactment of the #NationalSecurityLaw, Hong Kong has seen a rapid decline in press freedom, with independent media outlets shutting down, journalists facing imprisonment, and foreign reporters encountering visa restrictions. The #RSF report highlights political pressure, legal threats, economic struggles, and surveillance as key factors contributing to the deterioration.
#PressFreedom#HumanRights
#香港 在2025年世界新聞自由指數中跌至第140位，創下 *歷史最低排名，並首次進入 「紅色區域」，代表 #新聞自由 情況極為嚴峻。#無國界記者組織（#RSF）警告，香港現在與中國大陸並列為全球新聞環境最受限制的地區之一。
自 #國安法 實施以來，香港的新聞自由急劇下降，獨立媒體被迫關閉，記者遭監禁，外國記者則面臨簽證限制。RSF報告指出，政治壓力、法律威脅、經濟困境和監視* 是導致新聞自由惡化的主要因素。
#HongKong have passed a new mechanism allowing Beijing to exercise jurisdiction over national security cases.
1. Beijing’s Direct Jurisdiction – Mainland China can now take over cases deemed "complex" or involving foreign elements.
2. Prohibited Places – Six sites occupied by Beijing’s Office for Safeguarding National Security (OSNS) have been declared restricted zones, limiting public access and increasing surveillance.
3. Severe Penalties – Disclosing investigations can lead to HK$500,000 fines and up to 7 years in prison.
4. Mandatory Cooperation – Government agencies and public servants must provide “necessary assistance" to Beijing’s security office.
5. Immediate Implementation – The law will take effect immediately upon gazettal, bypassing standard legislative approval.
#香港 政府提議新機制，允許北京直接管#國安法 案件，進一步削弱司法獨立。
1.北京直接管轄 - 中國可接管被認定為「複雜」或涉及外國因素的案件。
2.禁區設立 – 北京維護國家安全公署（OSNS）佔用的六個地點被宣布為禁區，限制公眾進入並加強監控。
3.嚴厲懲罰 – 透露調查信息可被罰款 50萬港元，最高判刑七年 。
4.強制合作 – 政府機構及公務員必須向北京國安辦提供「必要援助」。
5.立即生效 – 法律將在刊憲後立即生效，繞過標準立法程序。
Jimmy Lai, 77, founder of Apple Daily, is facing life imprisonment under Hong Kong’s #nationalsecuritylaw. Prosecutors allege he colluded with foreign forces and published seditious material. His meetings with U.S. officials and calls for sanctions were framed as hostile acts—not free speech.
Lai’s defense argues he was exercising his right to advocate for democracy and press freedom.
After over 1,600 days in solitary confinement, Lai appeared in court visibly thinner, suffering heart palpitations and collapse-like episodes. His son called the conditions “a form of torture,” especially in Hong Kong’s sweltering heat.
#JimmyLai#HongKong#PressFreedom#HumanRights#StandWithHongKong
77歲的《蘋果日報》創辦人黎智英，正面臨《港區國安法》下的終身監禁。控方指他與外國勢力勾結，並發布煽動性材料。他與美國官員的會面及呼籲制裁，被視為敵對行為，而非言論自由的表現。
辯方強調，黎智英只是行使言論自由，為民主與新聞自由發聲。但控方卻表示，黎以思想與結社自由作為「盾牌」令人驚訝。
黎智英已在獄中獨囚逾1,600日，近日出庭時身形消瘦，並出現心悸與接近昏倒的症狀。其子形容獄中環境如「酷刑」，尤其在炎熱的夏。
#黎智英#香港#新聞自由#人權#撐香港
Hong Kong's press freedom declines in global ranking, citing newsroom closures and journalist arrests under the national security law. Placed 135 out of 180 countries, it remains among the few developed places to fare poorly. Though ranking rose by 5 places, the score actually fell, signaling significant change. #PressFreedom#HongKong#WorldPressFreedomDay
https://hongkongfp.com/2024/05/03/just-in-hong-kong-ranks-low-on-global-press-freedom-index-as-watchdog-cites-unprecedented-setbacks/
#HongKong police have arrested and detained the father of wanted activist #AnnaKwok, accusing him of handling her financial assets. This marks the first time authorities have used the #NationalSecurityLaw to prosecute the relatives of an overseas activist.
Critics warn that #HongKongpolice are now acting like China’s security forces, using laws to hold families of opposition figures hostage. Many fear Kwok’s family will remain under strict surveillance, limiting their freedom even after release.
#PoliticalRepression#HumanRights
#香港 警方逮捕並拘留了流亡民主運動人士 #郭鳳儀 的父親，指控他處理女兒的財務資產。這是當局首次使用 #國安法 來起訴海外民主運動人士的家屬。
批評者警告，#香港警方 正效仿中國的安全部門 ，利用法律挾持反對派人士的家屬。許多人擔心郭氏家族即使獲釋，也將受到嚴密監視 ，自由將受到極大限制。
#政治打壓#人權
#HongKong’s #ChannelC has been taken over by creditors after police froze its bank accounts, forcing it to halt operations. Meanwhile, Hong Kong has fallen to 140th place in the World Press Freedom Index, entering the red zone for the 1st time.
#Beijing-backed media are attacking Reporters Without Borders, trying to discredit the ranking while the #CCP ensures Hong Kongers cannot access independent news. #Pressfreedom is collapsing, replaced by state-controlled narratives.
#CCPControl#MediaSuppression
#香港 獨立媒體 #ChannelC 因警方凍結銀行戶口被債權人接管，被迫停止運作。同時，香港在世界新聞自由指數中跌至第140位，首次進入紅色區域 。
北京支持的媒體攻擊無國界記者 ，試圖抹黑排名，而 #中共 確保香港人無法獲取獨立新聞 。#新聞自由 正在崩塌，取而代之的是國家控制的敘述。
#中共控制#媒體打壓
《立場新聞》案判決：前總編輯鍾沛權判囚1年9個月
• 鍾沛權及林紹桐被控串謀發佈煽動刊物
• 鍾被判監禁1年9個月，林因健康問題獲釋
• 法官批評被告「參與抗爭」而非進行真正傳媒工作
• 特區政府稱判決「彰顯公義」
• 國際組織批評判決違反國際人權公約，製造寒蟬效應
這判決嚴重打擊香港新聞自由，記者面臨前所未有的威脅。
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🇭🇰 Stand News Case Verdict: Former Editor-in-Chief Sentenced to 1 Year 9 Months
• Chung Pui-kuen and Patrick Lam charged with conspiracy to publish seditious publications
• Chung sentenced to 1 year 9 months, Lam released due to health issues
• Judge criticized defendants for "participating in protests" rather than genuine media work
• Hong Kong government claims verdict "manifests justice"
• International organizations criticize verdict as violating international human rights conventions, creating chilling effect
This verdict severely undermines press freedom in Hong Kong, with journalists facing unprecedented threats.
#HongKong#StandNews#PressFreedom#HumanRights