IJF24 is taking place during Jimmy Lai's trial in Hong Kong under the much criticised National Security Law, imposed on Hong Kong by Beijing in 2020. Jimmy Lai, the renowned publisher, writer, pro-dem...
Sebastien Lai
Sebastien Lai is Jimmy Lai’s son, and he leads the #FreeJimmyLai campaign. Jimmy Lai is a renowned media entrepreneur, writer and pro-democracy campaigner, who founded Next Digital and Apple Daily, the popular independent Chinese language newspaper in Hong Kong which was forcibly shut down by the Hong Kong authorities in 2021. Jimmy Lai has been imprisoned in Hong Kong since 2020, and faces the rest of his life behind bars. Sebastien is leading the campaign to secure his father’s release.
In December 2021 Sebastien accepted the award of the 2021 WAN-IFRA Golden Pen of Freedom on behalf of his father and the newsroom staff of Apple Daily Hong Kong. On receiving the award he said there will be “less and less people shining light in these dark corners” given Apple Daily’s shutdown and the ongoing crackdown on journalism in the region.
Media freedom, democracy and the rule of law in Hong Kong: the case of Jimmy Lai and Apple Daily
Moderator: Baroness Helena Kennedy KC Speakers: Sebastien Lai, Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC, Jason Rezaian Jimmy Lai is a 75-year-old British citizen based in Hong Kong. He is a renowned media owner, wr...
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