Journalist Shirley Leung on Freedom of Press in Hong Kong Ep2
What happened to reporter Shirley Leung after leaving Hong Kong? After her employer, the Hong Kong newspaper Apple Daily, shut down in 2021, Shirley Leung continued to do independent journalism. In the wake of the closing, Shirley discovered that the atmosphere in Hong Kong was affecting the quality of her writing. Her sources had stopped talking, and she had started to self-censor, choosing not to write about certain topics that could instigate trouble. Eventually, Shirley’s family urged her to leave the country, fearing for her safety. To Shirley, the closure of Apple Daily may have marked the end of press freedom in Hong Kong. Shirley recognized a need for high-quality, honest journalism aimed at Hongkongers, which led her to start Photon Media after moving to Taiwan. One shocking observation for Shirley after arriving in Taiwan was the extent of Chinese influence and the impacts of soft power on the island, particularly among Taiwanese youth. She hopes that those of us who still have democracy and freedom will think twice before taking it for granted.
