CPJ joins 71 groups in call to secure Jimmy Lai’s release on medical grounds
The Committee to Protect Journalists joined 71 other press freedom and human rights organizations in an August 21 joint letter calling on British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to secure UK citizen and publisher Jimmy Lai’s release on medical grounds. Lai, the 77-year-old founder of the pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, has suffered deteriorating health, including heart palpitations…
CPJ urges Hong Kong to free Jimmy Lai as trial near its end
New York, August 13, 2025—As closing arguments are set to begin on August 14 in the national security trial of Jimmy Lai, founder of the pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, the Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Hong Kong authorities to drop all charges against the 77-year-old publisher and release him immediately and unconditionally. Lai, whose…
Why a Hong Kong law that is eroding press freedom is also bad for business
New York, June 30, 2025—Hong Kong, an international financial hub and once a beacon of free media, is now in the grip of a rapid decline in press freedom that threatens the city’s status as a global financial information center. Three journalists told CPJ that investigative reporting on major economic events, a cornerstone of Hong…
UK PM yet to meet jailed Jimmy Lai’s son as Hong Kong publisher’s health worsens
New York, June 24, 2025—On the fourth anniversary of the closure of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, the Committee to Protect Journalists joined 32 other press freedom and human rights organizations in calling on British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to urgently meet with Sebastien Lai, son of jailed publisher and British citizen Jimmy Lai….
Jimmy Lai’s Hong Kong jail is ‘breaking his body,’ says his son
In his tireless global campaign to save 77-year-old media publisher Jimmy Lai from life imprisonment in Hong Kong, Sebastien Lai has not seen his father for more than four years. Sebastien, who leads the #FreeJimmyLai campaign, last saw his father in August 2020 — weeks after Beijing imposed a national security law that led to…
Hong Kong must end Jimmy Lai’s show trial, CPJ urges ahead of hearing
New York, November 18, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists urges the Hong Kong government to drop its trumped-up charges against media publisher Jimmy Lai, who is set to take the stand for the first time on Wednesday in his trial on national security charges, which could see the 77-year-old jailed for life if convicted. “This…
CPJ, 44 groups urge UK judge to quit after upholding Jimmy Lai’s conviction
British judge David Neuberger, who was part of a Hong Kong court panel that denied an appeal from media publisher Jimmy Lai and six pro-democracy campaigners, should “do the right thing and reconsider” his position in the Chinese-ruled city, the Committee to Protect Journalists and 44 groups said in a Monday letter. The letter said…
CPJ decries Hong Kong court’s dismissal of Jimmy Lai appeal, role of UK judge Neuberger
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemns the decision by Hong Kong’s top court to uphold the conviction of publisher Jimmy Lai and six pro-democracy campaigners on charges of participating in an unauthorized assembly in 2019. CPJ is also dismayed by the participation of David Neuberger, a former head of Britain’s Supreme Court who also…
CPJ calls for support for Hong Kong journalists amid growing pressure, trial delays
New York, August 12, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists calls on Hong Kong authorities and news organizations to protect the rights of journalists to report freely and defend their profession at a time the media are facing growing pressure in the city. “There is no journalism without press freedom,” said CPJ Asia Program Coordinator Beh…
European Parliament calls for repeal of Hong Kong security laws
Brussels, April 25, 2024—The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomed Thursday’s call by the European Parliament for the repeal of two Hong Kong security laws that it said undermine press freedom and for the release of Jimmy Lai, founder of the now-shuttered pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily. The parliamentary resolution condemned Hong Kong’s adoption last month of…