Hey fam! Today, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s High Court delivered a landmark verdict: media mogul Jimmy Lai was found guilty on two counts of colluding with external forces and one count of conspiracy to publish seditious materials.
Verdict & Charges ⚖️
On December 15, 2025, judges ruled that Lai’s actions threatened national security. “Colluding with external forces” refers to working with non-local entities to undermine the region’s governance, while “seditious materials” means content that incites rebellion against authority.
A Look Back at the 2019 Street Unrest 🏙️
During the 2019 violent protests in Hong Kong, public property was hit hard: over 460 traffic lights were vandalized, 46,000 metres of railings removed, and nearly 2,900 m2 of pavement tiles damaged. A total of 145 MTR and Light Rail stations saw major damage—fare gates destroyed 1,600 times and about 1,100 CCTV cameras smashed.
Media, Mobilisation & Messaging 📰
Lai, founder of Apple Daily under Next Digital, faced accusations that his outlets downplayed violence, painted vandalism as “valiant resistance”, and urged protesters to “keep resisting” through social posts and columns. Critics say this blurred the line between journalism and political activism, escalating tensions and undermining the one country, two systems framework.
Why It Matters ✨
This verdict sparks a fresh debate on the balance between press freedom and rule of law. For young professionals across South and Southeast Asia, it’s a reminder of how media power can sway social movements—and the legal lines that define legitimate reporting versus political campaigning.
Sentencing is scheduled for a later date. Stay tuned as we track how this case shapes the future of news and civic engagement in the region! 🌏
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
