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🇭🇰 Hong Kong /Culture & Society

Hong Kong court to rule on alleged illegal firing of ex-Wall St Journal reporter in Sept

From Hong Kong Free Press · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified In the courts
  • A Hong Kong court will rule in September on the alleged illegal dismissal of a former Wall Street Journal reporter.
  • The reporter, Selina Cheng, claims she was fired for taking a leadership role in a press union.
  • Dow Jones Publishing argues the employees who communicated with Cheng were not authorized to represent the company's "directing mind and will."

A Hong Kong court is set to deliver a verdict in September regarding the alleged unlawful dismissal of Selina Cheng, a former reporter for The Wall Street Journal. Cheng initiated a private prosecution against Dow Jones Publishing, the WSJ's parent company, after her termination in July 2024, shortly after she was elected chair of the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA).

not compatible

— Deborah BallWSJ's Asia editor, telling reporter Selina Cheng her intention to stand for office at the HKJA was incompatible with her employment.

The trial, which has reached its closing submissions after 12 days, centers on whether Cheng's supervisor at the WSJ or a human resources director at Dow Jones were authorized to act on behalf of the company. The court heard that Cheng's supervisor, WSJ Asia editor Deborah Ball, had informed Cheng that her intention to run for the HKJA leadership was "not compatible" with her employment. Subsequently, a Dow Jones HR director, Kerene Ko, emailed Cheng stating the company would not approve her pursuit of the HKJA chair role.

did not seek, and will not receive the company’s approval to pursue this role [HKJA’s chair]

— Kerene KoA Dow Jones HR director, informing Cheng via email about the company's stance on her union role.

Representing Cheng, Senior Counsel Nigel Kat argued that Hong Kong's Employment Ordinance provides "far-reaching protection" against employers preventing or firing workers for union activities. He contended that both Ball and Ko were "duly authorized" by Dow Jones. In contrast, Senior Counsel Benson Tsoi, for Dow Jones, argued that the prosecution failed to prove Ball and Ko acted under the "directing mind and will" of the company, suggesting any proven offense would be against the individuals, not the corporation.

far-reaching protection

— Nigel KatSenior Counsel representing Cheng, referring to protections under the city's Employment Ordinance.

Cheng faces two charges under the Employment Ordinance: one for taking action calculated to prevent her from becoming an HKJA officer, and another for terminating her employment due to her union participation. If found guilty, Dow Jones could face fines of up to HK$100,000 for each offense. The WSJ had previously stated Cheng was terminated due to redundancy as its Asian reporting center relocated from Hong Kong to Singapore. Principal Magistrate David Cheung has adjourned the case until September 10 for the verdict.

duly authorised

— Nigel KatSenior Counsel representing Cheng, arguing that the employees who communicated with Cheng were authorized by Dow Jones.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Hong Kong Free Press. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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