The trial of editors of the former Stand News began in Hong Kong on Oct. 31, 10 months after they were arrested and jailed. The three defendants were charged with conspiracy to publish and/or reproduce seditious articles from July 7, 2020 to Dec. 29, 2021.
Stand News was founded in December 2014 in Hong Kong, during the Umbrella Movement. Its charter was to operate as an independent voice with the primary aim of “protecting Hong Kong’s core values ​​of democracy, human rights, freedom, the rule of law, and justice.” The business model was to accept commercial advertisements and public sponsorship to support its long-term development.
On Dec. 29, 2021, the company’s assets were frozen by the National Security Office of the Hong Kong Police Force, and six incumbent and former senior executives were arrested, including editor-in-chief Chung Pui-kuen, directors Margaret Ng Ngoi-yee, Denise Ho Wan-see, Chow Tat-Chi, Christine Fang Meng-sang, and acting editor-in-chief Patrick Lam Shiu-tong….