National Press Club Statement on First Week of Jimmy Lai Trial
The following is a statement from Eileen O’Reilly, president of the National Press Club, and Gil Klein, president of the National Press Club Journalism Institute on tthe expected 80 day trial of Hong Kong Publisher Jimmy Lai.
“We were deeply disappointed and disturbed to see that the court in Hong Kong allowed the sedition charge against Jimmy Lai, Publisher of Apple News, to proceedk. Irrespective of any merit in the charge, it was not filed by the government within the required timeframe so should have been dismissed on procedural grounds. The fact that it was upheld signals the illegitimacy of these proceedings. We are very concerned about what will happen now when the trial resumes Jan. 2 and the court hears Mr. Lai’s plea. We will be watching, as will the whole world. We call on the court to dismiss all charges and release Mr. Lai to his family. His unjust pretrial detention of two years has been outrageous and punitive, for Mr. Lai and his family. China is sending a terrible signal to Hong Kong and the entire world. Journalism is not a crime.”
The National Press Club and the National Press Club Journalism Institute support the families of unjustly detained U.S. journalists Austin Tice, Evan Gershkovich and Alsu Kurmasheva, and ask the Biden administration to prioritize the protection of American journalists. Journalism is not a crime. #FreeAustinTice #BringAustinHome #IStandWithEvan #FreeAlsu.
About the National Press Club
Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the world’s leading professional organization for journalists. The Club has 3,000 members representing nearly every major journalism organization and is a leading voice for press freedom in the United States and around the world.
About the National Press Club Journalism Institute
The National Press Club Journalism Institute promotes an engaged global citizenry through an independent and free press, and equips journalists with skills and standards to inform the public in ways that inspire a more representative democracy. As the nonprofit affiliate of the National Press Club, the Institute powers journalism in the public interest.
Contact: Bill McCarren, 202-662-7534 for the National Press Club