A Hong Kong Free Press investigation has won an honourable mention at the prestigious Society of Publishers in Asia (SOPA) awards.
HKFP’s 2024 probe into Hong Kong’s role in illegal deforestation of the Amazon rainforest was a joint investigation by Mercedes Hutton and Repórter Brasil.
Supply chain data, revealed in the feature, showed that at least four local businesses had imported beef farmed by a man whom Brazilian police had called “the greatest devastator of the Amazon.”
It won a Carlos Tejada Award for Excellence in Investigative Reporting Honourable Mention. The top prize in the regional category went to a Mekong Eye investigation into meat smuggling.
SOPA said that there were over 700 entries, with 120 volunteer judges asked to pick the top contenders for this year’s awards.
Established in 1999, the SOPA Awards recognise editorial excellence in both new media and traditional journalism in the Asia-Pacific region. HKFP has won three prizes in previous years.
The SOPA 2025 Awards Gala Dinner was held on Thursday at the JW Marriott Hotel. Editor at Large for Bloomberg Weekend Mishal Husain, a former BBC World presenter, was the keynote speaker, alongside broadcaster Karen Koh as host.
Record year for awards and nominations
HKFP has enjoyed a record year for award nominations and prizes ahead of its 10th anniversary – all made possible by our valued members.
In 2024, HKFP was listed as a finalist for a International Press Institute Free Media Pioneer award and Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Prize. Also last year, HKFP won a Journalist of Courage & Impact award, photography award and was nominated for a SOPA prize in Explanatory Reporting.
| Year | Award | Title | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Human Rights Press Awards: University English language writing | Sexual harassment at Hong Kong’s universities – rarely reported, but not rare | Merit |
| 2019 | Human Rights Press Awards: Student Video & Audio (English) | ‘I am prepared to be imprisoned’ – Chinese human rights lawyer Lin Qilei | Winner |
| 2020 | Index on Censorship’s 2020 Freedom of Expression Award | Hong Kong Free Press | Finalist |
| 2020 | SOPA: Excellence in Photography (Regional) | Shots of the 2019 Hong Kong protest movement | Finalist |
| 2020 | SOPA: Excellence in Explanatory Reporting (Regional) | Hong Kong’s new methodology of protest, explained | Honourable mention |
| 2021 | Nobel Peace Prize | Hong Kong Free Press | Nominated |
| 2021 | SOPA: Excellence in Opinion Writing (Regional) | Hong Kong’s protest movement in perspective | Honourable mention |
| 2023 | SOPA: Excellence in Opinion Writing (Regional) | Press Freedom Day: As long as there are journalists in Hong Kong, there will be journalism | Honourable mention |
| 2023 | Human Rights Press Awards: Single Image | Rolling up ‘Asia’s World City’ | Merit |
| 2024 | International Press Institute Free Media Pioneer award | Hong Kong Free Press | Finalist |
| 2024 | Hong Kong Press Photographers Association feature category | Refuse collection point art at Kwai Chung Estate | Winner |
| 2024 | SOPA: Excellence in Explanatory Reporting (Regional) | Explanatory reporting on the 2023 District Council “patriots only” election | Nominated |
| 2024 | East-West Center Journalists of Courage & Impact | HKFP founder Tom Grundy | Winner |
| 2024 | Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Prize | Hong Kong Free Press | Nominated |
| 2025 | SOPA: Excellence in Investigative Reporting | Hong Kong’s role in illegal deforestation of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil | Honourable mention |
