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May 22, 2025 – Hong Kong –
In May 2025, Hong Kong’s independent media sector encountered heightened scrutiny as the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) initiated a series of tax audits targeting at least six media outlets and approximately 20 journalists, including their family members. The Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) described these audits as “unreasonable” and “strange,” citing instances where individuals were taxed for non-existent companies or periods predating a company’s establishment.
Prominent outlets such as Hong Kong Free Press (HKFP), InMedia HK, and The Witness reported being subjected to extensive multi-year audits. HKFP’s founder, Tom Grundy, questioned the likelihood of all independent outlets being “randomly” selected, suggesting a deliberate pattern aimed at exerting financial and psychological pressure on independent journalism.
These developments occur against a backdrop of declining press freedom in Hong Kong. Following the implementation of the Beijing-imposed National Security Law in 2020, several media outlets, including Apple Daily and Stand News, were forced to shut down amid legal challenges. In 2025, Hong Kong’s press freedom ranking plummeted to 140th out of 180 countries, entering the “very serious” category for the first time.
International media watchdogs have condemned the audits as intimidation tactics designed to suppress independent reporting. Reporters Without Borders emphasized that such actions aim to eliminate alternative narratives and further erode press freedom in the region.
While the IRD maintains that its audits are standard procedures unrelated to individuals’ professions, the pattern of targeting independent media outlets and journalists raises concerns about the use of financial mechanisms to stifle dissent and control the media landscape in Hong Kong.
Reference –
https://apnews.com/article/hong-kong-journalists-assocition-tax-a3adec22d594f00858702bc4be3974b4
