Hong Kong Journalist Attack Spurs Support for Freedom of Media
Thousands gathered outside the Hong Kong government headquarters yesterday to protest the knife attack on former newspaper editor Kevin Lau and continue voicing support for press freedom.
Lau, former editor in chief at Hong Kong’s Ming Pao newspaper, was stabbed in the legs and back with a meat cleaver by a triad member in Sai Wan Ho, Hong Kong Island. The attack, described by Hong Kong police as a “warning,” rather than an attempted murder, happened in the morning.
The Independent reports Lau’s wounds were “so deep that his chest cavity and vital organs were exposed.” Though previously in intensive care, Lau’s wife, Vivien Chan, has characterized him as now in stable condition.
This attack comes after Lau’s investigations into the assets of Chinese and Hong Kongers, with many government officials, including China’s very leaders. The South China Morning Post quoted Lau himself as asserting he “tended to believe” the articles published under his leadership at Ming Pao resulted in this attack.
The attack comes in the midst of at least a year of protests and concerns among Hong Kongers about the state of press freedom, and just as importantly, independence in their city.
By Sophia Solivio