Wall Street Journal publisher convicted for blocking reporter’s bid to lead union

The publisher of the Wall Street Journal in Hong Kong, Dow Jones Publishing Co (Asia), has been found guilty of violating labor laws. The company illegally prevented former reporter Selina Cheng Kar-yue from running for the chairmanship of a local press union by requiring her to seek prior approval. The court ruled this requirement was a wrongful and unjustified application of the company's code of conduct, infringing on her right of association. However, Dow Jones was cleared of unlawfully terminating Cheng's contract, as her dismissal was deemed potentially related to a broader restructuring as the WSJ shifted its Asian headquarters. The company faces a fine, with sentencing expected next year.

A Hong Kong court convicted Dow Jones for attempting to deter journalist Selina Cheng from taking a union role, but acquitted the company of dismissing her over that position. Cheng, formerly of the Wall Street Journal, accused Dow Jones of unlawfully terminating her employment due to her role chairing the Hong Kong Journalists Association. The court found Dow Jones guilty of violating Cheng's right to run for union leadership, deeming the requirement for prior permission an "unjustified deterrent." However, the judge accepted Dow Jones' defense that Cheng's termination was due to corporate restructuring, not her union activities. The ruling highlights concerns about media freedom and labor rights in Hong Kong.

A Hong Kong court convicted Dow Jones Publishing, the publisher of the Wall Street Journal, of deterring reporter Selina Cheng from exercising her trade union rights. Cheng was dismissed in 2024, weeks after becoming chair of the Hong Kong Journalist Association (HKJA), with the company citing restructuring. The court found Dow Jones guilty of preventing Cheng from taking the union role but acquitted it of dismissing her because of it. Cheng alleged her employer sought to prevent her union involvement, requiring approval for outside activities. The ruling has raised concerns about press freedom in Hong Kong, where the HKJA has faced increasing pressure. Sentencing for Dow Jones is pending.