Hong Kong court finds WSJ sought to deter journalist from union role

A Hong Kong court ruled on Thursday that Dow Jones had attempted to prevent a reporter from holding a union position, while clearing the publisher of accusations that they fired her because of her activism. Selina Cheng, who was laid off from the Wall Street Journal in July 2024, had alleged that the newspaper's publisher unlawfully dismissed her for serving as chair of the Hong Kong Journalists' Association (HKJA), as well as for trying to block her from running for a union leadership role.

The court found Dow Jones guilty of attempting to thwart Cheng's eligibility to chair the union, but agreed with the company's claim that her dismissal was due to corporate restructuring, not her role as HKJA chair. The right to participate in a trade union is protected under Hong Kong's labor laws, with violations potentially resulting in fines of up to HK$100,000 (RM51,820).

Cheng expressed disappointment with the decision, stating that if reporters' rights are not protected, they cannot work safely as journalists. Dow Jones spokesperson acknowledged disagreement with the ruling and stated they were evaluating their next steps, while emphasizing adherence to Hong Kong's labor laws. Cheng initiated a private prosecution in 2025 for unlawful termination after filing a complaint with the Labour Department that did not lead to charges.

The HKJA, founded in 1968, is Hong Kong's oldest journalists' organization and one of the last remaining groups advocating for media rights in the city. Hong Kong's media landscape has faced increasing challenges since Beijing introduced a national security law in 2020, according to international rankings and HKJA surveys.