PREFACE
The Human Rights Press Awards, co-organized by Amnesty International Hong Kong, the Foreign Correspondents’ Club Hong Kong, and the Hong Kong Journalists Association, marks its 20th anniversary this year. The Awards were founded in 1996, ahead of China’s resumption of sovereignty of Hong Kong. At that time, there were concerns about whether the freedoms enjoyed in Hong Kong and the rule of law would be affected under Chinese rule. Politically, China is a one-party dictatorship. Economically, China was lagging at the time of the handover. Culturally, China was far behind civilized societies in terms of people’s moral standards after being ravaged by a decade of the devastating Cultural Revolution. As such, it was reasonable for Hongkongers to be worried about Hong Kong’s return to the rule of such a country.
Over the past 20 years, the Human Rights Press Awards, especially the winning entries that touched on Hong Kong, have witnessed the gradual deterioration of human rights in Hong Kong. However, the Awards have also shown how frontline journalists have tirelessly tried to turn the tide despite the growing social destruction. Thanks to their efforts, there is better public awareness on issues that matter to us all, and their work has also helped safeguard our core values. Today, Hongkongers from every step of life have the courage to stand up to unreasonable policies; this can be attributed to the public being enlightened by reports from members of the media who fearlessly uncover incidents that violate social justice and human conscience. Throughout this process, the long-term, seemingly imperceptible effect of the efforts by these journalists must not go unnoticed.
It is because of this that I wholeheartedly recommend this review of how we have safeguarded the place we all call home.
Ching Cheong
8 July 2016