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FOX NewsJun 16, 2023
WSJ Fires New Head of Hong Kong Press Freedom Group
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The Facts
The US-based Wall Street Journal let go of automobile and energy reporter Selina Cheng on Wednesday, coming after she was elected the head of the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) on June 22.
Following her termination, Cheng claimed her editor requested she withdraw from the HKJA leadership race because it would be "incompatible with her job" and create a conflict of interest.
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
As an outspoken advocate of press freedom, the Wall Street Journal should be celebrating Cheng's new position at the HKJA. Instead, it's chosen to hypocritically fire her, citing ambiguous reasons like corporate restructuring. If the Journal cares about press freedom, it should fight alongside the HKJA.
Pro-establishment narrative
While Cheng may feel slighted, the simple truth is that the Journal has been planning to shift its Asia headquarters from Hong Kong to Singapore, thus requiring personnel restructuring. The news publication has clearly proven its commitment to press freedom and will continue to do so in every region of the globe.
Pro-China narrative
Cheng is a danger to China and its national security interests, given her position at the Western-controlled HKJA. The press union in Hong Kong is full of journalists pushing the West's agenda at the expense of safety, as it has a history of promoting and instigating violent riots in Hong Kong.