Citizens' Radio, an online pro-democracy radio station in Hong Kong, announced its closure on Friday due to what its founder describes as a "dangerous" political situation and the
freezing of its bank account. Established in 2005 by veteran activist Tsang Kin-shing, the Cantonese-language broadcaster gained popularity for its hard-hitting talk shows that criticized the authorities and its long-standing advocacy for press freedom.
The closure of Citizens' Radio marks another setback for media diversity in Hong Kong, with several other liberal outlets already forced to shut down under the China-imposed national security law, including the Apple Daily newspaper and Stand News. Tsang stated in a Facebook post that the station had no choice but to suspend its operations due to increasing pressures, crackdowns on dissent, and the arrest of activists following the pro-democracy movement in 2019, which saw millions taking to the streets.
Tsang also revealed that the radio station's bank account had been frozen, with limited details provided. He mentioned that the rent could only be paid until August, highlighting the financial challenges faced by the station.
While Hong Kong authorities claim to respect and uphold media freedoms, insisting that protests in 2019 threatened the city's economic stability, critics argue that the national security law has curtailed liberties and instilled a chilling effect on society. The law, which came into effect three years ago, has resulted in the arrest of 259 people suspected of national security offenses, with 160 people and five companies facing charges. Additionally, numerous civil society groups, media outlets, and political parties have disbanded since the law's enactment.
Hong Kong's ranking in the annual global media freedom index by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has dropped significantly, from 73 to 140 out of 180, following the implementation of the national security law. Media rights groups express concern over the loss of Citizens' Radio, emphasizing its significant contribution to the independent broadcasting landscape in Hong Kong.
Citizens' Radio, despite its application for a broadcasting license in 2005 being denied, continued to operate online after being raided by the Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) for allegedly using an illegal radio transmitter. The station had faced previous challenges, including a break-in by masked individuals in 2019.
The closure of Citizens' Radio highlights the ongoing struggles faced by independent media outlets in Hong Kong and raises further questions about the state of press freedom in the region. As the national security case against Apple Daily and its founder, Jimmy Lai, approaches, and the verdict for the sedition trial against editors of Stand News awaits, the erosion of freedoms and the future of Hong Kong's media landscape remain uncertain. Photo by User Samtri on fr.wikipedia.