For Immediate Release:
Dateline: Indianapolis,
IN
Thursday, July 18, 2024
CONTACT Ashanti Blaize-Hopkins, SPJ National President, ashanti.blaize@gmail.com
Nadia Gordon, SPJ Communications Coordinator, ngordon@hq.spj.org
INDIANAPOLIS — The Society of Professional Journalists stands with Selina Cheng, the new chair of Hong Kong's leading media professional group who was fired from the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday. Cheng, who covers automobile and energy sectors for the Journal, was elected chair of the Hong Kong Journalists Association June 22 and assumed the position July 1.
“The firing of Cheng sends a chilling message to all those attempting to resist encroachments on press freedom in Hong Kong. This move is especially unfortunate at a time when press freedom advocates in the United States and elsewhere are fighting to help Cheng's fellow WSJ reporter Evan Gershkovich withstand his unjust imprisonment in Russia and regain his freedom,” said SPJ National President Ashanti Blaize-Hopkins.
In a press briefing, Cheng said a senior editor told her that her job was eliminated due to restructuring. However, Cheng says she believes she lost her job due to her refusal to withdraw from the election for the leadership post after a supervisor's request. She said she was also told that her role with the HKJA would be “incompatible” with her employment at the Wall Street Journal.
According to the Guardian, a spokesperson for Dow Jones, the WSJ’s parent company, said: “While we can confirm that we made some personnel changes today, we don’t 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.”
SPJ believes advocating for press freedom around the world is crucial to ensure that truth is reported, and ethical journalism thrives. We believe journalists are some of the most influential advocates for the field, and that includes Cheng and her work in Hong Kong.
SPJ champions journalists by recognizing outstanding achievement, fighting to protect press freedom, promoting high ethical standards and educating new generations of emerging professionals. Support excellent journalism and fight for your right to know. Become a member and give to the Legal Defense Fund, First Amendment Forever Fund or SPJ Foundation.
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