A Hong Kong court has convicted the publisher of the Wall Street Journal, Dow Jones Publishing, of deterring a reporter from taking up a trade union role. Principal magistrate David Cheung ruled that the company was guilty of “preventing or deterring an employee from exercising trade union rights.”
The conviction relates to the dismissal of reporter Selina Cheng in July 2024, weeks after she was appointed chair of the Hong Kong Journalist Association (HKJA). Cheng, who covered China’s automobiles and energy sectors, launched a private prosecution against Dow Jones Publishing after losing her job.
Magistrate Cheung stated that Cheng’s termination “was motivated by wrongful and unjustified application of their code of conduct” when the company insisted she needed prior approval to stand as HKJA chair. Dow Jones Publishing had pleaded not guilty to the charges and argued Cheng was terminated due to redundancy.
The company was acquitted of a second charge of “dismissing or discriminating against an employee because she exercised those rights.” Sentencing for the conviction is expected to be handed down at a later date. Each charge carries a maximum fine of HK$100,000 (approximately $12,750).