The Foreign Correspondents’ Club, Hong Kong is deeply concerned by the confirmation that Bloomberg journalist Rebecca Choong Wilkins has had her visa renewal application denied.

Choong Wilkins has worked for Bloomberg in Hong Kong for the past six years, most recently as a senior reporter on the Asia government and economy team. We understand that authorities did not give any reason for the denial of her visa renewal.

Regrettably, this decision and the lack of explanation reinforces widespread concerns about the erosion of press freedom in Hong Kong, which is protected under the Basic Law and the Bill of Rights. We support any application for this decision to be urgently reviewed and call for future applications for employment visas and visa extensions for international journalists to be handled in a timely and transparent manner.

The FCC has contacted the Immigration Department to seek clarification. While we appreciate that in normal circumstances the Immigration Department cannot comment on individual cases, we contend that in cases such as this involving an international journalist, it is important to provide the visa applicant with a proper explanation for any denial of work visas or entry into Hong Kong. This suggested improvement to the system would show greater transparency in dealing with freedom of the press, which is vital to preserving Hong Kong’s image as an international business centre.

The Foreign Correspondents’ Club, Hong Kong is deeply concerned about journalists working in the Gaza Strip amid reports that they are facing the same risk of starvation as the people they are covering.

Since the Israel-Hamas war began 22 months ago with Hamas’s deadly terrorist attack on Israel, Israel has restricted international journalists from entering Gaza independently, while local journalists and their families have been unable to leave.

Journalists in Gaza have reported on the conflict with great courage and resilience, and at great risk to their lives. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, at least 186 journalists and other media workers have been killed since the war began, including 178 Palestinians, two Israelis and six Lebanese, making it the deadliest period for journalists since the organisation began collecting data in 1992.

International news organisations including the Associated Press, Agence France-Presse, BBC News, Reuters and the New York Times say their journalists and their families are now suffering from extreme hunger, jeopardising their ability to report on the war for a global audience and tell the world directly what is happening in Gaza. As humanitarian aid deliveries remain limited following an 80-day Israeli blockade, local journalists report brain fog, dizziness, fainting on air and being too weak to work.

Journalists in Gaza desperately need relief. The FCC joins international news organisations in calling on Israel to allow local journalists to leave Gaza if they wish to do so, allow international journalists to enter, and ensure that journalists in Gaza have adequate access to food so that they can report on the Israel-Hamas war securely and without fear of reprisal for doing their jobs.

The Foreign Correspondents’ Club, Hong Kong is concerned by reports of multiple independent media outlets facing simultaneous tax audits and backdated demands from the Inland Revenue Department (IRD).

At a press conference on May 21, the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) said it had evidence that at least six news outlets—Boomhead, Hong Kong Free Press, InMedia, ReNews, The Witness and another outlet that wished to remain anonymous—had recently been subject to additional scrutiny of their tax affairs after being “randomly selected” for an audit.

In addition, 20 people linked to Hong Kong independent media are facing similar tax inspections, according to HKJA. In a statement, Hong Kong Free Press said that the scrutiny “has diverted resources, manpower and funds away from journalism”.

The FCC, whilst understanding the need for targeted tax audits, has reached out to IRD to ask why so many independent media organisations were selected simultaneously for random audits. The FCC has asked that IRD consider enhancing its transparency because we believe that an explanation as to why these investigations have occurred simultaneously is a necessary improvement to the system. In our view, a reasonable and timely explanation by IRD would positively impact the international perception of Hong Kong as a business centre and its commitment to press freedom, which is guaranteed in the Basic Law.

On World Press Freedom Day, the Foreign Correspondents’ Club, Hong Kong reaffirms its resolute support of journalists and unwavering commitment to defend press freedom, both in Hong Kong and around the world.

Today, we recognise and celebrate the vital role of the global news media in combating disinformation and keeping societies informed, pushing back against threats to fact-based discourse from AI-generated falsehoods and populist political movements.

We also mourn our colleagues who have lost their lives in the line of duty around the world. Last year was the deadliest year on record since the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) began collecting data more than 30 years ago. At least 124 journalists and media workers were killed in 2024, with 85 killed in the Israel-Gaza war alone.

Closer to home, the FCC’s recently published Press Freedom Survey reflects the pressure faced by working journalists in Hong Kong, with 62% of respondents saying that their working environment as a journalist has changed for the worse since we conducted our last survey.

May 3 acts as a reminder for Hong Kong’s government officials to respect their stated commitment to press freedom, which is guaranteed in the city’s Basic Law.

The FCC will continue to support journalists and advocate for press freedom in Hong Kong so that journalists can carry out their work without fear or favour.

“A free press is not a luxury. A free press is at the absolute core of equitable development” — James Wolfensohn, former president of the World Bank.

An anonymous survey of the FCC’s Correspondent and Journalist members reflects the damaged sentiment that many working journalists in Hong Kong are facing.

The results of the survey, the third that the FCC has conducted in the last four years, raise concerns about the working environment that our members and others in the media industry face.

Of the 69 respondents, 43 (62%) said that their working environment as a journalist in Hong Kong had changed for the worse since July 2023, the time of the last press freedom survey. The National Security Law, its related trials, and the perceived exodus of international news organisations were mentioned as reasons for the change.

Respondents also noted that their sources have become more concerned about sharing their own opinions, with 44 (64%) saying that their sources are less willing to be quoted or discuss sensitive subjects.

Journalists are cautious about their own writing as well, with 45 (65%) saying they had self-censored in the last 18 months, and 12 (18%) saying they had self-censored “considerably”.

Ten respondents (16%) reported facing minor interference in their reporting, and one noted significant interference.

The perception of the media environment is also noteworthy, with four people (6%) saying they are “very concerned,” and 36 people (52%) being “slightly concerned” about the possibility of arrest or prosecution over their reporting or opinion articles or work they have edited.

While only one person reported experiencing digital surveillance and two reported physical surveillance, 62 (90%) said they were concerned about digital and physical surveillance.

The FCC supports journalists’ fundamental right to conduct their work freely and without fear of intimidation or harassment.

We will continue our proactive engagement with relevant authorities to safeguard press freedom in the city in order to make sure that Hong Kong remains a thriving hub for journalism and business in the region.

Read the full results of the survey in the latest edition of the club’s magazine, The Correspondent.