Selina Cheng, a former Wall Street Journal reporter and chair of the Hong Kong Journalists Association, is testifying in a private prosecution alleging she was dismissed for her union role rather than for restructuring. Dow Jones denies the claims and faces two charges under Hong Kong’s Employment Ordinance, each carrying a maximum HK$100,000 fine. The company has pointed to email exchanges in which Cheng allegedly sought HK$3 million as part of a settlement. Observers say the case highlights concerns about Hong Kong’s diminishing press freedoms since the 2020 national security law.
Former WSJ Reporter Testifies in Hong Kong Trial, Says She Was Fired Over Union Role
Selina Cheng, chair of the Hong Kong Journalists Association (HKJA) and a former reporter for The Wall Street Journal (WSJ), center, leaves Eastern Magistrates' Court during a session break during her case against the paper's parent company, Dow Jones Publishing Co (Asia) Inc., in Hong Kong on Thursday, Dec 18, 2025. (AP Photo/May James)
A former Wall Street Journal reporter in Hong Kong, Selina Cheng, began testifying Monday in a closely watched trial in which she accuses her ex-employer of dismissing her because of her union activities rather than for the restructuring the company cited.
Testimony and Allegations
Cheng, who served as chairperson of the Hong Kong Journalists Association, launched a private prosecution against Dow Jones Publishing Co. (Asia) Inc. after her dismissal in July 2024. In court she said her supervisor objected to her candidacy in the union election and told her the issue would be discussed with Wall Street Journal management in New York and the company’s legal team.
“She said my participation in the union election was problematic and she said she needed to discuss this with Wall Street Journal management in New York and also with legal,” Cheng testified, describing the supervisor’s reaction.
Cheng told the court she was asked to seek the company’s approval and to resign from her union post. She said she believes the request to withdraw from the election — not the restructuring the company later cited — led to her termination.
Charges Against Dow Jones
Dow Jones faces two counts under Hong Kong’s Employment Ordinance: one alleging the company prevented or deterred an employee from exercising union participation rights, and the other alleging the company terminated, penalized, or discriminated against an employee for exercising those rights. The company pleaded not guilty to both charges. Each count carries a maximum fine of HK$100,000 (about US$12,850).
Company Response And Evidence Dispute
Before Cheng’s testimony, Dow Jones representative Benson Tsoi accused her of abusing the criminal process and acting in bad faith while seeking to admit certain email exchanges into evidence. Tsoi highlighted emails alleging that Cheng demanded HK$3 million (about US$385,500) as part of a settlement or for reinstatement with a formal apology. Tsoi also noted inconsistencies between Cheng’s statements to the Labor Tribunal and the email exchanges that appear to show she pursued mediation.
Broader Context
The case is being watched closely as another indicator of the shifting media landscape in Hong Kong. Since the 2020 national security law, critical outlets such as Apple Daily and Stand News were forced to close after arrests of senior staff. Apple Daily publisher Jimmy Lai was recently convicted under the national security law and faces a lengthy sentence; two former Stand News editors were convicted under a separate sedition law in 2024.
Reporters Without Borders ranked Hong Kong 140th out of 180 territories on its World Press Freedom Index, down sharply from 80th in 2021 — a statistic frequently cited by observers concerned about press freedoms in the city.
The trial continues as journalists and rights groups keep a close eye on whether employment protections for union activity will be upheld in the courts.
