Blinken demands Hong Kong authorities free city's detained Stand News staff and 'cease targeting' the city's 'free and independent media'
"They are pure retribution by the Chinese government, which seeks to eradicate the free media in Hong Kong documenting Beijing’s abusive conduct," Richardson added.Blinken called on China's ruling Communist Party and Hong Kong authorities to "cease targeting" the city's "free and independent media and to immediately release those journalists and media executives who have been unjustly detained and charged.
"Freedom of expression, including media freedom, and access to information provided by an independent media are critical to prosperous and secure societies," Blinken said in his emailed statement.via Blinken: "By silencing independent media, [China's government] and local authorities undermine Hong Kong's credibility and viability. A confident government that is unafraid of the truth embraces a free press.
Editor's note: This article has been updated with comment from Blinken, Stand News' closure announcement and to include the fact that police arrested a seventh person.
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