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FCC Statement on HKJA chairperson Selina Cheng’s termination by The Wall Street Journal

    
 
The Foreign Correspondents’ Club, Hong Kong is deeply concerned by the news of Hong Kong Journalists Association chairperson Selina Cheng’s dismissal as an employee of The Wall Street Journal.
 
Ms Cheng said that senior editors at the paper asked her to withdraw from the HKJA’s recent election once they learned she was running to be the chairperson of the journalists’ union. When she refused, she said she was told that being HKJA’s chairperson would be incompatible with her job. Less than a month later, she was fired.
 
The FCC has reached out to The Wall Street Journal for comment and to ask why Ms Cheng’s employment was terminated.
 
Press freedom is enshrined in Article 27 of Hong Kong’s Basic Law, the same article that guarantees Hongkongers the right to form and join trade unions. Representing the rights of journalists, which includes defending freedom of the press, should not be controversial. The FCC fully supports The Wall Street Journal’s ongoing efforts to secure the freedom of its reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has been unjustly imprisoned in Russia for more than a year. If the editors of the Journal advocate for reporters’ rights to do their jobs without fear and intimidation in Russia, they should do the same in Hong Kong.
 
We urge The Wall Street Journal and all news organisations to respect reporters’ rights to join press clubs and to advocate for press freedom without the fear of punitive action from their own newsrooms.
 

Temporary Suspension of FCC Website (July 13-15)

AGM President’s Report 2024

President’s Report
May 2024
Twelve months ago, I made a pledge to lead with pragmatism. To engage in the issues, to make our substantial voice count, while also securing the long-term future of the FCC.
I believe that this board has delivered on that mission.
In my first message to members as your president, I nailed my colours to the mast, laying out six priorities that I aimed to accomplish this board year. This evening, I will provide an update on what we have achieved, and what remains to be done.
  • First on the list was the resumption of issuing press freedom statements after a prolonged silence. Having put in place new guidelines to codify and formalise the process, this board has delivered on that commitment, issuing nine press freedom statements in the last 12 months, including the FCC’s submission to the Security Bureau on the Consultation Document of Article 23 of the Basic Law. The club also hasn’t shied away from hosting discussions on potentially provocative topics, bringing newsmakers into the FCC to speak with journalists and debate the issues of the day. In the last 12 months, we have hosted talks on the District Council reforms, the National Security Law and Article 23 among others.
  • The second pledge was to secure a new permanent GM, which of course we have accomplished, with the appointment of David Brightling in January. The Board of Governors appointed David after an exhaustive five-month search. Aided by an executive search firm with expertise in clubs, more than 200 candidates were identified for the role, 23 candidates were longlisted and seven shortlisted and interviewed. The competition was strong—a testament to the allure of working at the FCC—but the board was totally aligned that David is the right person to lead the club. In his four months at the FCC, David is already validating that assessment.
  • Third was to build on last year’s training stream for early-career journalists and work towards bringing more young C&J members into the club. In the last year we have hosted six subsidised workshops programmed to appeal to early-career journalists and have hosted two open-house evenings for young journalists. Both initiatives provide a forum for young non-member reporters to walk through our door, ask questions and start to build a relationship with the FCC. Our demographics reflect the progress being made: our average age is declining and our gender balance improving. Still, there is more work to be done on both fronts.
  • Fourth: to bring back the FCC’s Journalism Conference after a five-year hiatus. World-class speakers and more than 130 people attended our conference on May 4. Taking place under the theme ‘Let’s Get to Work’, programming focussed on helping attendees add to their skill sets and learn to master the tools they need to be a journalist in 2024. To demonstrate our commitment to support journalists and facilitate journalism of the highest standard, we made this year’s conference free for all to attend.
  • Fifth: Develop more community outreach initiatives, potentially through the reinstatement of the then-dormant Charity Committee. We did indeed reinstate the Charity Committee. Under the leadership of Morgan Davis, the FCC’s new first vice president, the committee has been busy seeking the opinion of leading voices in Hong Kong’s charitable community to find out where the FCC can do the most good. Look out for the launch of the committee’s inaugural initiative in the coming weeks.
  • My final pledge was to make diversity a priority at FCC speaking events. This board year, we have started to track gender representation at FCC talks. Since we started tracking, 59% of our speakers have been male and 41% female. There is still work to be done to achieve parity, but we have made important progress towards that goal in the last year.
In addition to these six stated priorities, your board of governors has been working tirelessly behind the scenes in service of our club. Some of these endeavours are very visible—the scaffolding currently around this building is a clear testament to the work of the Building Committee and the effort they have put in behind the scenes to secure the right project managers and contractors for the 5.9-million-dollar renovation work to maintain our heritage building and fulfil our duty as tenants ahead of the lease renewal negotiations.
Some are less visible, such as our efforts to tighten our corporate governance in order to minimise our exposure and potential risk to so-called bureaucratic bullying, as well as our work to build channels of communication with relevant government departments. They may be less visible but they are, nonetheless, just as vital to securing the future of the FCC.
We’ve also been working tirelessly in support of our mission as a press club. From filing a written opinion in support of HKJA’s submission as an interested party in the injunction to ban the song Glory to Hong Kong at the very beginning of the board year, to the bold banner we placed on our website for World Press Freedom Day just a few weeks ago, throughout this board year we have been delivering on the FCC’s mission to defend press freedom at home and abroad, to support journalists and to promote and facilitate journalism of the highest standard.
Put simply, in the last 12 months the FCC has got its groove back. As a result we have seen greater participation in committees and club life. Last year, for the first time in our 80-year history we did not have enough candidates running for Correspondent Governor, resulting in an unprecedented by-election. This time around, we just had our healthiest, most contested hustings for years. I believe this is a clear endorsement of the direction the club has been taking and a reflection of the newfound vibrancy and optimism within these historic walls.
In the coming year, my pledge to you today is simple—more of the same. We will build on what we have accomplished and face the challenges ahead with a renewed sense of confidence and clarity.
Let’s not kid ourselves. This coming year will likely bring even greater challenges as Hong Kong’s political landscape continues to shift and the space for independent organisations such as the FCC contracts.
Nevertheless, I remain confident that together, with unity, grit and determination, we can overcome any challenges that arise and that 12 months from now, when we reconvene in this room, I will be able to report that our club, once again, is stronger than ever. Thank you.

FCC Board of Governors 2024-2025 Election Results

    
 
Congratulations to the new FCC Board of Governors for 2024-2025. They will begin serving after the Annual General Meeting on May 30.
 
We would like to thank the outgoing Board members for their service.
 
The new Board members are listed below.
 
PRESIDENT
Lee WILLIAMSON
 
FIRST VICE PRESIDENT
Morgan DAVIS
 
SECOND VICE PRESIDENT
Tim HUXLEY
 
CORRESPONDENT GOVERNORS
Karly COX
Jennifer JETT
Karen KOH
Kristie LU STOUT
Dean NAPOLITANO
Peter PARKS
Laura WESTBROOK
William ZHENG
 
JOURNALIST GOVERNORS
Zela CHIN
Joe PAN
 
ASSOCIATE GOVERNORS
LIU Kin-ming
Lynne MULHOLLAND
Christopher SLAUGHTER
Barbara YU LARSSON

 

 
 
23 May 2024
 

FCC Statement on World Press Freedom Day

    
 
This World Press Freedom Day, the Foreign Correspondents’ Club Hong Kong reinforces its commitment to pushing to maintain freedom of the press in Hong Kong and around the globe.
 
As journalists and media organisations in Hong Kong face rising pressure and uncertainty due to the recent passing of the Safeguarding National Security Act, May 3 acts as a reminder for government officials to respect their stated commitment to press freedom. It is also a day for media professionals to reflect on issues of press freedom and professional ethics.
 
Today we celebrate the media’s role in providing a platform to tell stories which keep our society informed and engaged about issues which affect us all. We advocate for journalists’ right to continue to carry out their work unhindered, free of harassment and danger.
 
We show solidarity with Evan Gershkovich, a Wall Street Journal reporter who has been detained in Russia for over a year, and the hundreds of journalists imprisoned or killed as a consequence of doing their jobs covering conflicts in Myanmar, Ukraine, the Middle East and elsewhere.  
 
The Israel-Gaza war, in particular, calls attention to the need for governments to do more to safeguard journalists’ ability to inform the public. We mourn the 97 journalists and media workers killed in the course of covering that war, and express our deep concern for the 45 others reported injured, missing or arrested.1
 
The FCC will continue to monitor the press freedom situation in Hong Kong, make statements and question government policy with an aim to ensure that journalists can carry out their work without fear or favour.

“Freedom of the press is a precious privilege that no country can forgo” – Mahatma Gandhi



1Committee to Protect Journalists, 29 April 2024 https://cpj.org/2024/04/journalist-casualties-in-the-israel-gaza-conflict

Nominees for the Election of the Board of Governors 2024-2025

Dear Members,

Here are the nominations for the FCC Board of Governors 2024-2025. Below are links to each nominee’s bio and policy statement. Please read them before voting.

 

Notes:    
  a. Please indicate your vote by putting a “✓” in the appropriate bracket. Any mark other than a “✓” shall invalidate this Ballot paper.  
  b. If vote(s) casted exceed(s) the number allowed in respective capacity, this Ballot paper shall be invalid.  
  c. Bio & policy statements of the candidates are available at the FCC website <www.fcchk.org>.  
  d. The completed Ballot paper must be received by the Club, either by mail or in the Ballot box, not later than 3pm on Thursday, 23 May 2024.  
     

CANDIDATES
PRESIDENT
(The position of President can be voted by Correspondent members only)
(Vote for not more than one)
1. Lee WILLIAMSON – SCMP
     

FIRST VICE PRESIDENT
(The position of First Vice President can be voted by Correspondent members only)
(Vote for not more than one)
2. Morgan DAVIS – IFR Asia
     

SECOND VICE PRESIDENT
(The position of Second Vice President can be voted by Correspondent, Journalist or Associate members)
(Vote for not more than one)
3. Tim HUXLEY – Mandarin Shipping
     

CORRESPONDENT MEMBER GOVERNORS
(The position of Correspondent Governor can be voted by Correspondent members only)
(Vote for not more than eight)
4. Karly COX – Tatler Asia
5. Jennifer JETT – Asia Digital Editor, NBC News
6. Karen KOH – Freelance broadcast journalist
7. Kari Soo LINDBERG– Bloomberg News
8. Kristie LU STOUT – CNN International
9. Connor MYCROFT – SCMP
10. Dean NAPOLITANO – The New York Times International Edition
11. Peter PARKS – AFP
12. Stephanie Barrio THORN – The New York Times
13. Laura WESTBROOK – Feature Story News
14. William ZHENG – SCMP
     

JOURNALIST MEMBER GOVERNORS
(The position of Journalist Governor can be voted by Correspondent or Journalist members)
(Vote for not more than two)
15. Zela CHIN – TVB
16. HO Man Kit Raymond – Metro Broadcast Corp. Ltd.
17. Joe PAN – NFTMetta News
     

ASSOCIATE MEMBER GOVERNORS
(The position of Associate Governor can be voted by Correspondent, Journalist or Associate members)
(Vote for not more than four)
18. CHAN Nap Kee Joseph – Oriental Patron Financial Group
19. LIU Kin-ming – KM & Associates
20. Lynne MULHOLLAND – The Hongkong and Shanghai Hotels
21. Christopher SLAUGHTER – AIA Group
22. Barbara YU LARSSON – PAKT Limited
23. Alexandra YUNG – Creasians Company Ltd

FCC Statement on border entry denial of Reporters Without Borders representative

    
 
The Foreign Correspondents’ Club, Hong Kong is concerned that a representative of global press freedom NGO Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has been denied entry to Hong Kong by the city’s immigration officials.
 
Aleksandra Bielakowska travelled to Hong Kong twice in 2023 without incident, both times in her professional capacity as an Advocacy Officer at RSF, but was denied entry on this trip. Her colleague Cédric Alviani, who was travelling with Ms Bielakowska on April 10, was granted entry to Hong Kong.
 
The FCC has reached out to the Immigration Department to ask why Ms Bielakowska was denied entry.
 
While we appreciate that the Immigration Department does not normally comment on individual cases, we respectfully request an explanation in order to improve the transparency of the system, and so that the public may better understand the reasons behind the decision.
 
 

FCC Nomination for the Board of Governors 2024–2025

FCC Nomination for the Board of Governors
2024 – 2025
      
Dear Members,
The FCC Annual Nomination Meeting will be held on Wednesday, 10 April 2024 for the purpose of accepting oral nominations for the Board of Governors for the 2024 – 2025 Term.
Under the provisions of the Articles of Association, nominations may also be made in writing.
For those who wish to make a written nomination or nominations, please use the form(s) we are sending to you by mail or you can ask from the office. The written nominations should be delivered to the Club office, either in person or by registered letter, no later than 6pm on Wednesday, 10 April 2024.
Nominations are invited for the following positions:

A President who shall be a Correspondent Member. The nomination must be made and seconded by Correspondent Members.

A First Vice-President who shall be a Correspondent Member. The nomination must be made and seconded by Correspondent Members.

A Second Vice-President who may be a Journalist Member or an Associate Member. The nominations may be made and seconded by Correspondent Members, Journalist Members or Associate Members.

Eight (8) Correspondent Member Governors who shall be Correspondent Members. The nominations must be made and seconded by Correspondent Members.

Two (2) Journalist Member Governors who shall be Journalist Members. The nominations may be made and seconded by Correspondent Members or Journalist Members.

Four (4) Associate Member Governors who shall be Associate Members. The nominations may be made and seconded by any Voting Member.
A Member being nominated does not mean that he or she is elected a Club Officer. An election by mail ballot will be held subsequently and the mail ballot papers together with a list of candidates accepted will be sent to all Members of the Club one week after the Nomination Meeting.
A candidate for election to the Board of Governors can accept nomination for only one position on the Board of Governors.
By order of the Board of Governors,
Lee Williamson
President

FCC Submission on the Consultation Document of Article 23 of the Basic Law

On February 28, The Foreign Correspondents’ Club, Hong Kong sent the following submission to the Security Bureau on the Consultation Document of Article 23 of the Basic Law.

A Message from the President

 

      “As mid-term report cards go, I’m satisfied with the progress we’ve made thus far and confident that we can build on what we have achieved in
the Year of the Dragon.”
      
     
Dear FCC members,
When I wrote my first president’s letter in June 2023, I laid out six priorities that I aimed to achieve as president. Six months later, halfway through the Board year, I’m writing to share updates on the progress we have made towards achieving these goals.
1) Resume issuing press freedom statements
We have issued six press freedom statements in the past six months, making our voice heard after a period of prolonged silence. In my policy statement, I made a pledge to lead with pragmatism—to engage in the issues and make our substantial voice count while safeguarding the future of the FCC. With several key verdicts expected in the coming months, we will not deviate from this path. More than 50 civil society organisations have disbanded in the last three years. It’s vital that the FCC remains standing as an independent voice, steadfast in its mission to defend press freedom and support journalists.
2) Appoint a new permanent GM
As previously communicated, David Brightling has been appointed as the next general manager of the FCC, having joined the team at the end of January. An experienced GM, David has managed multiple prestigious clubs in Asia across his decades-long career and was most recently GM at the Tanglin Club. I’m confident he will elevate our already high standards and improve the member experience. 
 
3) Build on last year’s training stream for early-career journalists
After a successful fundraising event, over the last few months we have hosted subsidised workshops on digital security, covering China and presenting skills aimed at early-career journalists.
4) Bring back the FCC’s Journalism Conference
The conference will return on April 13 after a five-year absence. With a mission to inform and uplift, we are building the programme to help journalists equip themselves with the knowledge and tools they need. Expect talks and panels on China, climate journalism, mental health, artificial intelligence and more.
5) Develop community outreach initiatives
The Board voted to reinstate the club’s long-dormant Charity Committee this autumn, with Correspondent governor Morgan Davis taking the lead as convenor. More than a dozen members have joined the rejuvenated committee to help the club make a positive impact in the community.
6) Make diversity a priority at FCC speaking events
The Professional Committee has started to track gender representation at FCC speaking events. In the last three months of 2023, 43 percent of our speakers were women. We will continue to monitor and strive for parity.
As mid-term report cards go, I’m satisfied with the progress we’ve made thus far and confident that we can build on what we have achieved in the Year of the Dragon. I’m tremendously grateful to the Board of Governors and all committee members for their support of these priorities and for the countless hours that have been put in behind the scenes over the last six months. It really does take a village.
 
 
As always, I welcome all feedback on how we can improve.
 

Lee Williamson
President
[email protected]

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