Stand News case | US criticises sentence as harming press freedom; John Lee: News platforms must not be used to incite
立場新聞案︳美國批判刑損新聞自由 李家超：不可利用新聞平台煽動
The parent company of the now-shuttered Stand News, its former editor-in-chief Chung Pui-kuen and then acting editor-in-chief Lam Siu-tong were convicted of conspiracy to publish seditious publications. Chung was sentenced to 21 months’ imprisonment yesterday, while Lam, who has kidney disease, was released. A US senator and the US consul in Hong Kong said they believed the sentence harmed press freedom in Hong Kong. Speaking this afternoon (27th) at a National Day reception for Hong Kong’s media, Chief Executive John Lee said news credibility and ethics must not be corrupted by the misuse of public platforms for private ends, or by using news platforms to undermine the rule of law or unlawfully incite others. He stressed that no person or industry could be above the law.
已停運立場新聞的母公司、前總編輯鍾沛權、時任署任總編輯林紹桐串謀發布煽動刊物罪成，鍾昨判囚21個月，患腎病的林獲釋。有美國參議員及美國駐港領事回應指，認為判刑損害香港新聞自由；特首李家超今午（27日）於香港新聞界慶祝國慶酒會上致辭時表示，新聞公信力及道德，不能敗壞於公器私用、利用新聞平台破壞法治或違法煽動者，強調沒有人或行業可以凌駕法律。