Stand Up for Press Freedom Today (Good Neighbour Church England's response to the arrest of news staff at Apple Daily)
This is the second time Hong Kong police have raided Apple Daily, a prominent pro-democracy paper in Hong Kong. Security chief John Lee even claimed that they were not "normal journalists", warning others to "keep a distance from them". This is clearly a politically motivated threat, intended to make an example of Apple Daily and create a chilling effect on the media. The police have raided and frozen bank accounts of organisations, church and media organisations – the shadow of the authoritarian regime now looms over freedom of association, religion and press.
God says in the Bible, "How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked? Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked" (Psalm 82: 1-4 NIV). On the very same day, the police's National Security Department raided Apple Daily for their articles playing a "crucial part" in a collusion with foreign countries and with external elements to endanger national security, whilst pro-government press Ta Kung Pao had the criminal charge of improper car plate searches withdrawn. To "show partiality to the wicked'' – this is clearly unjust in both Biblical and judicial terms.
"What does this have to do with me?" you may ask. When the fourth estate lost its power as a public check, we would lose the check on Hong Kong's government tyranny. How then, could "the cause of the poor and oppressed" be upheld? The poor would be oppressed.
Or perhaps you hesitate to show full support for them. I personally had been unfairly treated by them, and was deeply upset. However, this is not simply an attack on a newspaper, but also the freedom of press. This is a direct threat to those who embrace the value of freedom, equality and justice.
Remember the phrase "do not split"? Today we are not standing up for the cause of an individual organisation, but for press freedom, as well as the weak and the needy. Will you join us?
Please pray that:
1. The LORD will bring judgement onto the wicked, and have mercy on the righteous.
2. The LORD will grant peace to media workers in this time of fear, and deliver the righteous.
3. The LORD will show media workers that they are not alone, there are many who support them for safeguarding the truth.
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