The Hong Kong Journalists’ Association (HKJA) has criticised the city’s top leader for saying that journalists “have no privilege to evade taxes,” following the press union’s accusation of “unreasonable” tax audits targeting independent media outlets.
“Chief Executive John Lee’s remarks today perfectly prove the Hong Kong Journalists Association’s point that Hong Kong taxpayers are penalized and judged before the IRD [Internal Revenue Department] even concluded its audit findings,” the HKJA chairperson Selina Cheng said in a statement on Tuesday.
“What the HKJA questions is the procedural legitimacy of the audits, but Lee is quick to label those facing audits as ‘tax evaders’ and ‘lawbreakers.’”
Cheng was responding to Lee’s comments earlier on Tuesday morning, when reporters asked him about the HKJA’s allegations that six independent media outlets in the city have been facing tax audits from the IRD since late 2023. The press union also said last week that the IRD made errors and “strange, unreasonable claims” in issuing tax assessments and demands.
“Journalists or any other profession have no privilege to evade taxes,” Lee replied.
He also said a “real professional group” should improve the profession it belongs to instead of pressuring the government.
“Tolerating members who break the law and evade taxes while pressuring the government will only expose the group’s own maliciousness,” the chief executive said.
The six outlets facing IRD’s audits include HKFP, InMedia, The Witness, ReNews, Boomhead, and one that did not wish to be named, according to the HKJA.
In a statement, HKFP said it has been cooperating fully with the IRD’s tax audit, adding that it has “always met its tax obligations, paid IRD demands immediately, and ensured meticulous record-keeping” since it was established in 2015.
The HKJA also said 20 individuals, including heads of media outlets and their spouses, are also subject to the IRD’s audits and backdated tax demands. The press union itself also faces the IRD’s scrutiny.
Inland Revenue Commissioner Benjamin Chan said on Saturday that the IRD would “definitely not” target specific industries.
According to the annual Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Press Freedom Index, released in early May, Hong Kong fell five spots to 140th out of 180 countries and territories.
The former British colony, once home to a freewheeling press, entered the “red zone” – meaning a “very serious” situation for journalism – for the first time in RSF’s index. China ranked 178th.
