**Hong Kong Court Rules Against Dow Jones in Journalist Union Case**
*Hong Kong, September 10, 2026* — A Hong Kong court has delivered a significant ruling concerning media freedom and labor rights, convicting Dow Jones for attempting to deter a journalist from taking on a leadership role in a trade union. However, the court acquitted the publisher of charges related to the dismissal of the journalist, Selina Cheng.
Cheng, a former reporter for the Wall Street Journal (WSJ), was terminated from her position in July 2024, shortly after she was elected chair of the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA). She accused Dow Jones of unlawfully terminating her employment due to her union activities and of trying to prevent her from assuming the chairmanship of the HKJA.
In its ruling, the court found that Dow Jones had indeed tried to inhibit Cheng's right to run for the union position, labeling the requirement for her to seek prior permission as an "unjustified deterrent" to her rights. This aspect of the ruling highlights ongoing concerns about the protection of journalists' rights in Hong Kong, where media freedom has been increasingly challenged in recent years.
Despite the conviction regarding the union role, the court sided with Dow Jones on the dismissal charge, agreeing with the company's argument that Cheng's termination was a result of corporate restructuring rather than her involvement with the HKJA. As a result, the court did not find grounds for illegal termination, which Cheng had previously sought to challenge through a private prosecution after her complaint to the Labour Department did not lead to any action.
The ruling is significant in the context of Hong Kong’s labor laws, which protect the right to participate in trade unions. Employers found guilty of attempting to prevent or deter union participation can face fines of up to 100,000 Hong Kong dollars (approximately $12,755).
Following the court's decision, Cheng expressed her concerns about the implications for press freedom in Hong Kong. "If reporters’ employment rights are not sufficiently safeguarded, or when their rights are violated and not enforced in law, then we can no longer work safely as reporters," she stated to reporters outside the Eastern Law Courts.
Dow Jones, in response to the ruling, expressed its disagreement and indicated that it is evaluating its next steps. A spokesperson for the company emphasized the WSJ's commitment to labor laws and the rights of its employees, stating, "The Wall Street Journal has a long and proud history as an employer in Hong Kong. Throughout that time, we have remained deeply respectful of its labour laws and supportive of our employees’ rights, while publishing excellent, impartial journalism about the region."
The HKJA, founded in 1968, is the oldest journalists' organization in Hong Kong and one of the few remaining groups advocating for media rights in a climate where press freedom has been under severe strain. Since the implementation of the national security law by Beijing in 2020, many media outlets have faced closures or significant operational challenges, leading to a decline in independent journalism in the region.
As the court prepares to announce sentencing, the case has already drawn attention to the precarious state of media freedom in Hong Kong, raising questions about the future of journalism in a city that was once celebrated for its vibrant press landscape. The ruling serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by journalists and the importance of safeguarding their rights in the face of increasing pressures.