Two former journalists from the shuttered Hong Kong media outlet Stand News have been convicted of conspiracy to publish seditious materials, marking a significant development in the city’s diminishing press freedom.

Chung Pui-kuen, the former editor-in-chief, and Patrick Lam, the former acting editor-in-chief, were arrested during a police raid on December 29, 2021.

The court identified 11 articles published by Stand News as seditious, out of a total of 17 that prosecutors claimed incited hatred against Hong Kong and Chinese authorities under the national security law.

Chris Patten, the last British governor of Hong Kong, described the verdict as a “dark day for press freedom.”

The district court emphasized the potential threat to national security in its ruling. Stand News, known for its coverage of the 2019 pro-democracy protests, was viewed as a credible source of information until its closure. Following the crackdown on pro-democracy outlets, including Apple Daily, many journalists have faced increasing risks in their reporting.

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Chung and Lam now face up to two years in prison and a fine for their convictions, with sentencing scheduled for September 26. They have the right to appeal.

The case has drawn criticism from international human rights organizations and foreign governments, highlighting concerns over media freedom in Hong Kong.