HONG KONG — Wall Street Journal reporter Selina Cheng announced she was fired after being elected chair of the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) on June 22, amidst increasing pressure on press freedoms by Beijing.
In a statement posted on X, Cheng said she was terminated from her role covering China’s car sector on Wednesday. She added that her London-based supervisor had asked her to withdraw from the election last month, citing concerns over conflicts of interest.
“The editor said employees of the Journal should not be seen as advocating for press freedom in a place like Hong Kong, even though they can in Western countries, where it is already established,” Cheng stated. She expressed disappointment over what she perceives as a growing belief among some editors that press freedom is a controversial issue.
The HKJA, established in 1968, has been under increased scrutiny from authorities, particularly following the anti-government protests in 2019. Hong Kong officials and Beijing state media have accused the union of siding with protesters, a claim the association denies.
Since Beijing imposed a national security law on Hong Kong after the 2019 protests, critics have noted a significant decline in press freedoms, citing the closure of multiple news outlets and the prosecution of journalists. The broader crackdown on civil liberties has also led to the arrest and trial of opposition figures and the disbanding of civil groups.
Gordon Fairclough, The Journal’s world coverage chief, flew in from the UK to deliver Cheng’s dismissal, citing job restructuring as the reason. The Journal’s editor-in-chief Emma Tucker had previously announced layoffs in Hong Kong to shift focus to Singapore, a move Cheng survived.
A Wall Street Journal spokesperson confirmed personnel changes on Wednesday but declined to comment on specific individuals. “The Wall Street Journal has been and continues to be a fierce and vocal advocate for press freedom in Hong Kong and around the world,” the spokesperson said.
Cheng criticized the senior editors’ actions, arguing that preventing employees from advocating for freedoms undermines the Journal’s own commitment to press rights. Despite her dismissal, Cheng plans to continue leading the HKJA.