Hong Kong leader denies national security law links to recent news outlet closures

Hong Kong Chief Executive Carrie Lam said on January 4, 2021, that the recent closures of two independent media outlets – Citizen News and Stand News – have no connection to the Beijing-imposed national security law. Another media outlet, Mad Dog Daily, has also ceased operations.

National security police last week arrested seven people linked to Stand News, including editors and former directors, on suspicion of publishing seditious content. A few days later, Citizen News announced it would stop publishing, citing concerns that the current environment was no longer safe for staff.