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January 31, 2026 – China –
The National Press Club has issued a strong statement marking a significant detention milestone for Hong Kong journalist and publisher Jimmy Lai, underscoring persistent global concerns about press freedom and the treatment of journalists under national security laws. The statement, released on January 31, 2026, notes that Lai has now spent 1,862 days in detention in Hong Kong, detained under the city’s national security law amid fears he could face a life sentence as his case progresses.
Lai, a well-known media entrepreneur and the founder of the pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, has been in custody since December 2020 following charges brought under the controversial national security legislation imposed by Beijing. His prosecution has been widely criticised by press freedom advocates as emblematic of shrinking space for independent journalism in Hong Kong. Trials under the law have drawn scrutiny for their conduct and limitations on procedural protections, including the absence of juries in key proceedings.
In the National Press Club’s statement, President Mark Schoeff Jr. reaffirmed that “journalism is not a crime” and stressed the importance of a free press as a measure of any society’s commitment to transparency and the rule of law. He highlighted that Lai’s prolonged detention — much of it reportedly in solitary confinement — amid reported health concerns raises acute human rights and due process questions.
The Club’s appeal follows years of international concern over Lai’s treatment and the broader implications for media freedoms in Hong Kong. Lai’s newspaper was forced to shut down in 2021 after sustained legal pressure, and his conviction in December 2025 on national security charges intensified global scrutiny of how authorities handle dissent and critical reporting. Rights groups and press organisations have condemned these actions as part of a systematic crackdown on independent media and expression.
The National Press Club urged continued international engagement and diplomatic efforts on behalf of Lai, framing his case as a pivotal test for global press freedom norms. The organisation reiterated that how journalists and publishers are treated reflects deeply on democratic values and respect for fundamental rights around the world.
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