Masked men attacked Hong Kong printing plant, Hong Kong press freedom not protected

Hong Kong's Epoch Times printing plant attacked, Reporters Without Borders appeals to Carrie Lam

Reporter : Luo Tingting  / Editor: Wen Hui / https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2021/04/16/a103097427.html / Direct translation

Image : In the early morning of April 12, the Hong Kong Epoch Times Printing Factory was attacked. Reporters Without Borders called on Carrie Lam to fulfill her responsibility to protect press freedom. (Yu Gang/The Epoch Times)

The Hong Kong Epoch Times printing plant was recently hit by a devastating attack, which aroused the attention of international public opinion. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) called on Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam to end her suspicion of independent media and impunity for criminals.

Reporters Without Borders issued a press release on April 15 stating that according to The Epoch Times" headquartered in the United States, the Hong Kong printing plant responsible for printing newspapers was attacked on the 12th by four masked men armed with weapons.

The masked men not only threatened the employees of the printing plant, but also used big heads to damage the main printing presses and other equipment. The whole incident was recorded by the monitor. This is the second time the "Epoch Times" printing plant was attacked in less than two years after it was set on fire in 2019.

Cédric Alviani, Chief Executive of the East Asia Office of Reporters Without Borders, said: “The Hong Kong government has impunity for previous incidents of reporters being attacked, and while creating a culture of suspicion of independent media, it is tantamount to encouraging this kind of violence. "

Ai Weiang called on the Chief Executive of Hong Kong, Carrie Lam, to stop the Hong Kong government’s threats and attacks on the independence of the media, and to do its utmost to protect the freedom of the press.

Reporters Without Borders pointed out that "The Epoch Times" is not the only media that has been violently attacked in recent years. On July 1, 2019, the private radio station of Independent Radio Hong Kong was sabotaged by several masked men. In 2015, Next Media Group, which publishes the democratic "Apple Daily", was attacked twice by arson.

Reporters Without Borders stated that Hong Kong was once a bastion of press freedom, but now Hong Kong has fallen from 18th in 2002 to 80th in 2020 in the RSF World Press Freedom Index.

Politics and organizations in many countries have issued statements on the attack on The Epoch Times printing plant in Hong Kong, condemning acts that undermine freedom of the press.

A US State Department spokesperson said on the 13th, “We condemn the attack on The Epoch Times printing house and urge the Hong Kong authorities to thoroughly investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice.”

The spokesperson also said, “The United States is concerned about (the Chinese Communist Party in Hong Kong) continuously suppressing independent media and suppressing freedom of speech in other ways, including attacks on journalists out of political motives."

U.S. Congressman Greg. Greg Steube tweeted, “The recent attack on the Epoch Times facility in Hong Kong proves to what extent the CCP will silence anyone who does not support its communist regime. We must deal with the CCP. (#CCP) threats and make them responsible for these acts of violence."

The International Society for Human Rights (ISHR) described the incident as a blow to freedom of speech and press in Hong Kong. Hubert Korper of the Association’s China Affairs Working Group said: “The murderers want to use this to intimidate the media and dissidents who criticize the CCP.”

Scott Griffen, deputy director of the Free Media Pioneer Award (International Press Institute), said in a statement: "We are outraged by the attack. The CCP is systematically and brutally depriving the people of Hong Kong of their basic rights, including freedom of speech. The authorities must immediately investigate the attack. The incident should not be held accountable. We must have zero tolerance for attacks on journalists and the media, and the Hong Kong government will take immediate action."