Stand News editor had no intention of harming national security, court hears

A former acting chief editor for the now-defunct Stand News was fulfilling his duty to publish articles and had no intent to undermine national security in Hong Kong, his lawyer has said, despite an earlier conviction finding the outlet liable for sedition.

A panel of High Court justices pointed out on Tuesday that the presiding trial judge had ruled Patrick Lam Shiu-tung’s decision to run material containing false information from interviewees and had the seditious effect of inciting hatred against authorities.

They noted the point was among the grounds for the appellant’s earlier conviction.

In August 2024, Lam was found guilty of a joint conspiracy charge of publishing and reproducing seditious material along with former editor-in-chief Chung Pui-kuen and Best Pencil (Hong Kong), Stand News’ holding company.