Documentary journalist Bao Choy wins appeal against conviction for accessing vehicle registration records at the city’s top court.

Award-winning freelance producer Bao Choy was convicted on April 22, by a Hong Kong court for submitting false statements to obtain public records. The journalist had obtained the data to determine the police handling of riots against pro-democracy demonstrations and media in July 2019. Bao was charged for violating the city’s Road Traffic Ordinance and was fined 770$. CFWIJ condemns judicial harassment against the journalist. To search for material is right of an investigative journalist and Bao did not use vehicle database information for personal gains. The investigations were used in a documentary that informed the public of how some powerful people chose not to respond in a crisis.

Investigative journalist and reporter Bao Choy stands trial over charges of making false statements when seeking access to data. The trial was adjourned until January 14, 2021. The Coalition For Women In Journalism is alarmed by these constant infringements of press freedom and calls for a retraction of these accusations.