July 12, 2021
1 min read

US, 20 other nations condemn crackdown on Apple Daily

Apple Daily, which published its final edition last month, said it had been forced to cease publication after its bank accounts were frozen and top editors arrested…reports Asian Lite News

Over 20 nations have expressed their strong concerns about the forced closure of Hong Kong’s Apple Daily newspaper, and the arrest of its staff by the city authorities.

The statement was issued by 21 “Media Freedom Coalition” nations, including the governments of Australia, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Iceland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Apple Daily, which published its final edition last month, said it had been forced to cease publication after its bank accounts were frozen and top editors arrested for violating Hong Kong’s national security law.

The media coalition condemned the use of the National Security Law, brought in last year, to “suppress journalism is a serious and negative step” that undermines the city’s autonomy and freedoms of people in Hong Kong, as provided for in the Hong Kong Basic Law and the Sino-British Joint Declaration.

China blames US for Afghan crisis

“The action against Apple Daily comes against a backdrop of increased media censorship in Hong Kong, including pressure on the independence of the public broadcaster and recent legal action by the Hong Kong authorities against journalists,” the statement said.

“We are highly concerned by the possible introduction of new legislation that is intended or could risk being used to eliminate scrutiny and criticism by the media of the government’s policies and actions,” it added.

The media coalition further said that freedom of the press has been central to Hong Kong’s success and international reputation over many years. “Hong Kong and mainland Chinese authorities should fully respect and uphold this important right, in line with China’s international legal obligations.”

The Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Hong Kong opposed the Media Freedom Coalition’s statement. (ANI)

ALSO READ: National Security Law Casts Shadow on Future of Hong Kongers

Previous Story

Rocket fire targets largest US base in Syria

Next Story

Bill Gates and others pledge $140m to cover UK foreign aid cut

Latest from -Top News

Pak Army Chief Targets India Again

This is not the first time that Munir has indulged in loose talk, exhibiting conduct unbecoming an officer….reports Asian Lite News Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Syed Asim Munir on

Relief for Students: US Visa Cancellations Paused

More than 1,500 student visas have been cancelled so far…reports Asian Lite News The United States on Friday abruptly paused the cancellation of student visas issued to international students, according to reports.

Yunus Must Be Treated Like Hasina, Warn Islamists

Islamist group made these warnings to the interim government, terming the women’s reform body proposals as “anti-Islamic…reports Asian Lite News The radical Islamist group in Bangladesh, Hefazat-e-Islam, has issued a threat, stating

UN: Bring Pahalgam Terrorists to Justice

The members of the Security Council “stressed that those responsible for these killings should be held accountable..reports Asian Lite News The Security Council has “condemned in the strongest terms” the Pahalgam terrorist
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Pakistan: New Gwadar Airport Set to Start Ops

The airport, a donation by China, is a 4F-grade state-of-the-art

Taiwan slams joint Russia-China statement

The foreign ministry added that Taiwan and China are not